CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
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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.
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
Highly skilled specialist radiologists
Wider scanners for a more comfortable experience
An MRI scan that helps diagnose prostate cancer, it can also be used as part of prostate cancer screening.
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.
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Before your MRI scan
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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
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, 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:
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.