Concierge imaging · London
Private brain CT in London, reported by a consultant neuroradiologist.
A fast, high-resolution scan reported by a specialist neuroradiologist — same-day for most patients, with a clear onward pathway if anything needs it.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Specialist neuroradiology
Every brain CT is reported by a consultant neuroradiologist — not a generalist.
- 02
Same-day report standard
Most patients receive a signed report the same day, with an urgent pathway when it’s needed.
- 03
Independent, and free
We’re paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private brain CT costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A non-contrast brain CT in our network: £280–£500, with a same-day report.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-contrast brain CT | £280–£500 | 10 min | Same-day report |
| Brain CT + contrast | £450–£800 | 20 min | Same-day |
| CT angiogram (brain vessels) | £600–£1,100 | 30 min | 24–48 hrs |
| CT venogram | £600–£1,100 | 30 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Sinuses + facial bones CT | £350–£650 | 15 min | Same-day |
| Urgent same-day brain CT | £600–£1,200 | Half-day slot | Same-day |
Prices vary by clinic, time of day and whether iodinated contrast is used. Urgent same-day slots carry a small premium. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A brain scan you can act on today.
A generalist report on a brain CT isn’t enough. Every scan we arrange is reported by a consultant neuroradiologist, same-day where possible, with a clear next step if anything needs one.
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CT or MRI?
We’ll tell you honestly which answers your question — MRI is often more sensitive for subtle brain pathology.
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Need it reported today?
Same-day neuroradiologist reporting is our standard for non-contrast brain CT.
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Something abnormal?
A clear onward pathway to MRI or neurology, arranged for you.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to signed report — often within a single day.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~15 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which protocol, which clinic, indicative price. If a scan isn’t the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and safety check
A short check on contrast allergies, kidney function and pregnancy. We’ve pre-completed the paperwork.
- 05
On the day
In the scanner
The scan itself takes only a few minutes. You lie on your back and the scanner ring passes around your head — open at both ends and far easier than a tunnel.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
Consultant neuroradiologist report — same-day for most patients. We route it to your GP or specialist.
Typical end-to-end: same or next day. Urgent cases: within hours.
What it shows
What a brain CT is genuinely best at.
Brain CT earns its place for speed and for acute bleeding, trauma, sinus disease and stroke work-up. These are the ones we arrange most.
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Suspected stroke work-up
First-line imaging to distinguish bleed from ischaemia and guide urgent care.
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Sudden severe headache
Rapid look for subarachnoid haemorrhage and other acute intracranial causes.
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Head trauma
The definitive first test after significant head injury.
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Brain tumour follow-up
Interval imaging where MRI is unavailable or unsuitable.
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Haemorrhage
Highly sensitive for acute intracranial bleeding.
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Hydrocephalus
Assesses ventricular size and shunt position.
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Sinus disease
Detailed view of the sinuses and facial bones.
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Red flag: A&E first
Worst-headache-ever or new focal neurology — go straight to A&E, don’t wait for a private scan.
Brain CT types
Not all brain CT scans are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Non-contrast brain CT
The standard first-line brain CT — fast and highly sensitive for acute bleeding.
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Brain CT + contrast
Iodinated contrast to highlight vascular structures, tumours and inflammation.
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CT angiogram (CTA)
Detailed imaging of the brain’s arteries — aneurysm, dissection, stenosis.
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CT venogram (CTV)
Focused on the intracranial venous sinuses — for suspected venous sinus thrombosis.
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Sinus / facial-bone CT
High-resolution bony detail for sinus disease, trauma and pre-operative planning.
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Post-op CT
Assessment after neurosurgery — bleeding, shunt position, post-operative change.
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Trauma CT protocol
Rapid protocol after significant head injury, following NICE guidance.
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Urgent same-day CT
A half-day slot for cases that need answering the same day.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London — chosen for consultant neuroradiologist reporting and same-day report standards.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant neuroradiologists reporting every scan
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Low-dose brain-CT protocols on modern scanners
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Same-day report as the standard turnaround
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Onward MRI or neurology pathway if anything is abnormal
Safety and eligibility
Radiation, contrast, pregnancy — the honest headlines.
The dose from a brain CT is small but real. We justify the scan, use low-dose protocols, and check contrast safety before you arrive.
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Radiation dose
CT uses ionising radiation. The dose is small but real, and we only recommend brain CT when the benefit clearly outweighs it.
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Pregnancy
MRI is preferred where possible. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant and we’ll route accordingly.
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Kidney function and contrast
Iodinated contrast can be nephrotoxic — a recent eGFR is required if contrast is planned.
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Contrast allergy screening
We screen for previous reactions to iodinated contrast before booking.
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Metformin management
If you take metformin and are having contrast, we advise on whether to pause it.
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Claustrophobia
Rarely an issue on CT — the scanner is an open, short bore rather than a tunnel.
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Fasting
Only required if iodinated contrast is planned. Otherwise, eat and drink as normal.
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Limits of CT
A normal brain CT does not exclude small lesions — MRI is more sensitive for subtle brain pathology.
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Bring prior imaging
Always share prior brain imaging so the neuroradiologist can compare and report accurately.
Reading your report
A neuroradiology report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Every brain CT report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you’d like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, the region scanned, and the clinical indication behind the referral.
- 02 Technique
Protocol and contrast used
The brain-CT protocol applied, whether iodinated contrast was given, and the dose used.
- 03 Findings
Structured neuroradiology report
A structured, region-by-region description from the consultant neuroradiologist, including any incidental findings.
- 04 Impression
Read this first
The bottom line — normal, findings, and any recommended follow-up. Your specialist discusses it in context.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about brain CT.
Quick answers on CT vs MRI, contrast, pregnancy, cost, referrals and results.
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CT or MRI for the brain?
CT is faster and highly sensitive for acute bleeding, bone detail and sinus disease. MRI is more sensitive for subtle brain pathology — small strokes, tumours, inflammation and demyelination. Your neuroradiologist will tell you honestly which fits your question.
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When is contrast needed?
Non-contrast CT is the standard first-line brain scan. Contrast is added when the question involves tumour, infection, vascular abnormality or inflammation — and always requires a recent eGFR.
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Can I have a brain CT if I’m pregnant?
Where possible, MRI is preferred in pregnancy because it avoids ionising radiation. If brain CT is genuinely necessary, it can be done safely with appropriate shielding — we’ll discuss the trade-off with you.
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What about claustrophobia?
CT is rarely a problem for claustrophobia — the scanner is an open, short bore ring, not a long tunnel, and the scan itself takes only minutes.
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How much does a private brain CT cost in London?
A non-contrast brain CT in our network is typically £280–£500. Contrast, CT angiogram, CT venogram and urgent same-day slots cost more. We confirm firm figures within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Brain CT is normally arranged with a referral because the dose means it should be clinically justified. We can arrange a fast-track private GP or neurologist if you need one.
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How much radiation does a brain CT involve?
A brain CT delivers a small but real dose of ionising radiation — significantly less than a CT of the chest or abdomen. Modern low-dose protocols keep this to a minimum, and we only recommend brain CT when clinically justified.
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How quickly will I get results?
Same-day report is the standard for non-contrast brain CT in our network. CT angiogram and CT venogram typically take 24–48 hours. Urgent cases can be reported within hours.
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When will I need a follow-up MRI?
When brain CT is normal but symptoms persist, or when the finding needs finer soft-tissue detail — stroke, tumour, MS, inflammation — MRI is often the next step. Your neuroradiologist advises on the report itself.
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When should I see a GP urgently instead?
If you have a sudden severe headache (“worst ever”), new focal neurology, collapse, seizure or head injury with reduced consciousness, go straight to A&E — don’t wait to book a private scan.
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