Private MRI scan

  • Rapid access across London, Manchester and Birmingham
  • Appointments in as little as 24 hours
  • All scans are reviewed by a consultant radiologist

Appointment bookings (please select option 1 on the call menu)

Monday to Sunday: 8am - 6pm

Prostate cancer MRI prostate cancer diagnostics - why are black men more likely to get it 1464014902.jpg

PRIVATE MRI SCAN AT HCA UK

Why choose us for your MRI scan?
When you need fast access to the latest MRI scanning technology, our dedicated imaging booking team is just a phone call away, with sites across London, Birmingham and Manchester. 

Your scan will be led by our expert consultant radiologists, whose unique experience and expertise means a bespoke service with a focus on precision, safety and rapid results to your consultant within 48 hours.

Both painless and safe, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to give a detailed image of the inside of your body. The results help us to identify any unhealthy tissue. 

The scanner itself is a long tube that you lie inside, and the process itself usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes, or slightly more if we need to scan multiple areas.

You’ll need to remain as still as possible throughout. You may feel some vibrations and hear a knocking noise when the scan is taking place. While this isn’t anything to worry about, many patients prefer to listen to music or podcasts during the scan.

As mentioned above, most scans last between 20 and 60 minutes. This will depend on the area or areas of you that are being scanned.
MRI scans are often the first choice for assessing orthopaedic injuries, including ligament, cartilage, joint, muscle and bone damage. 

Its ability to produce highly detailed images of organs, muscles and the musculoskeletal system, means MRI is also used for testing and diagnosing brain and spinal cord injuries, and works well with mammography to detect breast issues including breast cancer.

For patients with cardiovascular problems, MRI is especially helpful for investigating the heart and blood vessels. This includes assessing:
  • Any blockage or inflammation in the blood vessels
  • Changes to the heart’s wall
  • Damage caused by heart attack or heart disease
  • Structural problems in the aorta
  • The heart’s chambers including size and function
Unlike other imaging techniques, such as CT scanning, it does not use radiation. This makes it a safe option for repeated imaging, especially for conditions that require ongoing monitoring or when radiation dose is a consideration for paediatric patients.

Appointment bookings (please select option 1 on the call menu)

Monday to Sunday: 8am - 6pm

Knee brace with MRI

357,000+

scans completed across HCA UK during 2024

30

MRI scanners available across all our diagnostic centres

200+

consultant radiologists in London, Birmingham and Manchester

Next-day scans available

Get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.

Highly skilled specialist radiologists

For better scan selections, accurate results and insightful reports.

Wider scanners for a more comfortable experience

Expertise in supporting anxious and claustrophobic patients.

MRI scans

Cardiac MRI scan

We offer private cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which create detailed pictures of your heart and major blood vessels, helping us diagnose and treat heart problems.

Brain and spinal MRI

An MRI scan is a painless scan that provides high-quality images of the brain and spine, so a doctor can pinpoint an injury, identify any structural abnormalities or diagnose a condition, such as cancer or a slipped disc.

Breast MRI

A breast MRI is a safe, painless scan that gives clear, detailed images of the breast. It’s often used alongside other tests to give a fuller picture and support early, accurate diagnosis.

MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries

MRI for musculoskeletal and sports injuries is a safe, reliable way to reach a quick and accurate diagnosis. It gives specialists a clear view of joints, muscles and ligaments to help you get the right treatment sooner.

MRI for body, liver and prostate

MRI is a safe, non-invasive scan that gives clear images of your body, liver and prostate. It helps our specialists quickly diagnose issues and tailor a treatment plan just for you.

Multi-Parametric (mpMRI) Prostate Scan

An MRI scan that helps diagnose prostate cancer, it can also be used as part of prostate cancer screening. 

Locations - Hospitals

Find an MRI near you
With sites across London, Manchester and Birmingham, and a dedicated imaging booking team, you’ll find it easy to choose the right appointment for you.

Locations - Outpatient centres

Find an MRI near you

YOUR PATIENT JOURNEY

Your MRI scan with HCA UK

From your initial consultation through to diagnosis and treatment, we want you to feel informed and reassured. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect. 

You’ll be in good hands – all our scans are carried out by our expert teams of radiographers who will support you through the whole scanning process.

01

Before your MRI scan

Your doctor will usually send a referral to our dedicated imaging booking team, who’ll contact you to find the best time and location for you. The booking team will then send you all the information you need to prepare for your scan, including what to leave at home (such as metal or jewellery), and whether you need to fast before your scan. If you have a pacemaker or other medical implant, we’ll ask you to provide details of this.

02

During your MRI scan

Your MRI radiographer will confirm the screening process, step by step, including any safety procedures, and ask you to sign a patient safety questionnaire form. You will be given a gown for the scan, and you may be given an injection of ‘contrast’ medication to enhance the images. For your comfort we can offer music or podcasts to listen to during the scan.

Most scans last between 20 and 60 minutes. You’ll be able to speak with the radiographer throughout. 

Consultant radiologists are available throughout service hours and can review the results in real time and decide which sequences to run next to get the most out of your diagnostic process. 

03

After your MRI scan

A specialist consultant radiologist will report on your scan. This will usually be sent to your referring doctor within 48hrs.

If you have booked a same-day consultation and scan, your HCA UK consultant will ask to see you after the scan, once they and the radiologist have reviewed the results. Your consultant will then be able to arrange any further tests or treatments necessary. Rest assured, you’ll receive all the expert care and support you need before, during and after your scan.

Accessing private health care

Female gp listening to patient

Self-pay

You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.

And, to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.

Book an appointment 

 

FAQs

Yes, in most cases you’ll still be able to have an MRI scan, but it may take longer to schedule your appointment.

If you have a pacemaker or another type of implant inside your body, it is very important that the radiography team is made aware of this implant before you come for your MRI scan.

We may need time to request additional documented evidence of the make and model number of your device, who carried out the surgery, and/or in which facility you had the device implanted.

This information will allow the radiography team to establish the safety rating of the implant*, have the radiologist protocol your MRI scan and prepare any safety measures required to carry out your MRI scan safely.

In some cases, implants may require the presence of specialist staff to attend your MRI scan. They may be needed to fit additional kit to your device to make it safe or to monitor you during your scan.

Pacemaker patients, for example, will require a cardiac technician to be present to put your pacemaker into ‘safe mode’ and to reset it when the scan is complete.

*Please note that if your implanted device is found not to be compatible for any reason, then this will be communicated to you and/or your referring doctor or consultant. If you have any further questions or need advice about what alternative imaging techniques are available to you, please consult your doctor or consultant.

 
In most cases, we would prefer to do the MRI scan after the baby is born for the safety of you and your unborn child. However, if your referring doctor believes your particular health issue may be of an urgent nature and the risks of not doing the MRI outweigh the risks to you and the baby, then an MRI may be considered in this case. 

Your referring doctor will communicate the risks and benefits of this procedure to you, for your consent and consult our consultant radiologist for advice prior to agreeing to your MRI scan.
MRI scans are considered to be very safe with little risk. If there’s anything in particular you’re worried about, our booking and clinical teams can answer any questions you have about your suitability for an MRI scan. Some people can experience allergic reactions to the contrast dye – although this is only used in some scans and is very rare.
Generally we need a referral letter from your GP or doctor before we can confirm your scan appointment.

If you prefer, you can book an appointment with an HCA UK consultant who will refer you directly for your MRI scan with us, often on the same day as your initial appointment.
Yes, you can bring someone, although they will not be able to be in the scan room during the scan.
Children under the age of 16 cannot be left unattended while you have your scan. Please arrange childcare for when you visit our facilities for an MRI scan. 

However, if you have an adult family member with you when you are visiting us, then they’ll need to be responsible for your child/children while you have your scan.

Please be aware that if you have brought a child with you for a consultation with one of our doctors and they refer you for an MRI scan on the same day, you’ll need to find childcare if you wish to stay for your scan. 

Our staff cannot be responsible for your dependents while you undergo any imaging procedure at our facilities. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with our policy that ensures the safety of your children.
The cost of your MRI scan varies, depending on what body part (or parts) are to be scanned, whether contrast dye is required and if any specialist teams are needed in addition to your MRI scan. 

If you need to find out more about our MRI costs, please call the Self Pay team on 0207 234 2948, so we can put you in touch with the relevant team at your chosen facility.
Yes, you can. If you require a copy of your images for any reason, please let the radiographer know at the time of your scan. 

We have a dedicated team that provides this service and they’re reachable via email at any time after your scan. You’ll need to tell them your full name, date of birth and address, the type of scan you had and the date it took place*. 

The team will then be able to contact you (via email) when your images are available and provide instructions on how to access your images. You’ll be able to download a copy of your images for yourself and/or share the images with anyone of your choosing.

*Please be aware that if you do not provide the required information to process your request, this may delay access to your images.
MRI contrast is often used during an MRI for body, liver and prostate to help create clearer, more detailed images. A small cannula will be placed in a vein in your arm to allow the contrast dye to be gently injected. This enhances the scan, helping our expert radiologists see as clearly as possible.

In most cases, you are lying on your back (supine) on the MRI scan table, either feet-first or head-first. The direction you lie in is dependent on what area of the body is to be scanned. For example:

  • Head, neck and thoracic spine scans use head-first orientation
  • Feet, ankle and knee scans use feet-first orientation
  • Abdomen, pelvis or lumbar spine scans can, in most cases, be in either direction
Some MRI scans, however, may require you to lie on your front (prone) for your scan; these include hand, wrist, elbow and breast MRI scans. Your radiographer will explain and position you accordingly to the scanner type and coil choice for your particular MRI scan.

 

Some of our specialist MRI scans may require you to fast for a few hours prior to your MRI for body, liver and prostate scan, or to arrive early to drink a preparation. If this is a requirement for your scan, this will be communicated to you at the time of your booking for your scheduled MRI appointment. 
Reviewed by
Dr James Bell
Consultant Radiologist

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.