Concierge imaging · London
Private chest CT in London, reported by a thoracic radiologist.
Same-week (often same-day) chest CT — reported by a thoracic radiologist with a lung-MDT pathway if we find anything that needs one.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Thoracic radiologists only
Every chest CT we arrange is reported by a consultant thoracic radiologist — the sub-specialists who read lung CTs every day.
- 02
Low-dose protocols
We route you to modern scanners that keep the dose as low as reasonably achievable for the question asked.
- 03
Lung MDT pathway
If we find something that needs a lung multidisciplinary team, we put the pathway in place with you — no chasing.
Indicative pricing
What a private chest 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 standard chest CT in our network: £350–£650, reported same-day.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard chest CT | £350–£650 | 10 min | Same-day |
| Chest CT + contrast | £500–£900 | 15 min | Same-day |
| CT pulmonary angiogram (PE) | £700–£1,400 | 20 min | Same-day |
| High-resolution CT (HRCT) | £450–£850 | 15 min | Same-day |
| Low-dose lung cancer screening | £400–£800 | 10 min | Same-day |
| Full staging chest + abdo + pelvis CT | £900–£1,800 | 30 min | Same-day |
Prices vary by clinic, time of day, the protocol used, and whether iodinated contrast is required. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Who reads your chest CT matters as much as which scanner takes it.
Lung imaging is a sub-specialty. Nodule sizing, ILD patterns, and PE calls are read most accurately by thoracic radiologists — the sub-specialists who look at chest CTs every day.
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Nodule follow-up
Structured Fleischner and BTS surveillance intervals — no guessing, no drift.
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Worried about the dose?
We route you to modern low-dose scanners and justify every scan first.
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Need it quickly?
A chest CT takes minutes and we can often arrange it same or next day.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to signed report — often within days.
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’s 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 (standard, HRCT, CTPA), 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 a few minutes. You lie on your back and the scanner ring passes around your chest — open at both ends, 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 thoracic radiologist report, often same-day. We route it to your GP or specialist and into a lung MDT if needed.
Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What a chest CT is genuinely used for.
These are the questions a chest CT is best placed to answer — and the red flag that shouldn’t wait for a routine slot.
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Lung nodule follow-up
Structured surveillance of pulmonary nodules using British Thoracic Society intervals.
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Suspected pulmonary embolism
CT pulmonary angiogram — the definitive test for suspected PE.
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Infection (pneumonia, TB)
Detail beyond a chest X-ray for slow-to-clear or atypical infection.
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Emphysema and COPD
Maps the pattern and extent of emphysema and airways disease.
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Interstitial lung disease
HRCT is the reference test for pulmonary fibrosis and ILD patterns.
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Chest wall pain work-up
Investigates unexplained chest wall or pleuritic pain.
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Cancer staging
Stages known thoracic cancers and monitors response to treatment.
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Red flag: haemoptysis, sudden breathlessness
Same-day A&E or private urgent CT — don’t wait for a routine slot.
Chest CT types
Not all chest CTs are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard chest CT
A single-breath-hold chest study for lungs, mediastinum and chest wall.
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Chest CT + contrast
Iodinated contrast to highlight blood vessels, lymph nodes and masses.
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CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA)
A dedicated protocol for suspected pulmonary embolism.
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HRCT (interstitial lung disease)
Thin-slice, high-resolution imaging for fibrosis and ILD assessment.
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Low-dose lung-cancer screening
A reduced-dose protocol for lung screening in higher-risk people.
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Full staging CT
Chest, abdomen and pelvis in one study for cancer staging.
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Cardiac + chest CT
Combined coronary and chest study when both questions are in play.
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Post-op CT
Focused imaging after thoracic surgery to assess complications or recovery.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant thoracic radiologists reporting every study
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Modern low-dose CT scanners with chest-specific protocols
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Same-day report as standard, urgent PE studies expedited
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Direct lung MDT pathway if findings warrant it
Safety and eligibility
Radiation, contrast, and when to choose something else.
The honest headline for chest CT is radiation dose. We justify the scan, use low-dose protocols, and check contrast safety before you arrive.
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Ionising radiation
Chest CT uses ionising radiation — small but real. We only recommend it when the benefit clearly outweighs the dose.
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Contrast allergy screen
We check for previous iodinated contrast reactions before booking any contrast-enhanced study.
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Kidney function needed for contrast
A recent eGFR is required if contrast is planned, as it is cleared by the kidneys.
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Metformin management
If you take metformin and are having contrast, we advise on whether to pause it and for how long.
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Pregnancy — MRI where possible
CT is generally avoided in pregnancy. Tell us and we’ll look at MRI or a chest X-ray with shielding.
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Claustrophobia unusual (short scan)
A CT scanner is a wide, short ring and the chest scan lasts minutes — claustrophobia is rarely an issue.
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Fasting only if contrast planned
For a non-contrast chest CT you can eat and drink normally. Fasting only applies when contrast is used.
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A normal CT doesn’t rule out early lung disease
Early small-airways disease, asthma and some infections can look normal on CT. The clinical picture matters.
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Always share prior imaging
Comparison with prior CTs is the single biggest driver of report accuracy — bring or forward anything you have.
Reading your report
A chest CT report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
However much ground it covers, a chest 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 question — the indication — behind the referral.
- 02 Technique
The protocol and contrast used
Which protocol was run (standard, HRCT, CTPA), whether contrast was given, and the dose applied.
- 03 Findings
Lung parenchyma, mediastinum, vessels
A structured description of the lung parenchyma, mediastinum and vessels, plus any incidental findings above and below the chest.
- 04 Impression
Read this first
The conclusion in brief — read this first. Normal, findings, and any lung MDT recommendation the radiologist has made.
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 chest CT.
Quick answers on radiation, cost, referrals, contrast and results.
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Chest CT vs chest X-ray — which do I need?
A chest X-ray is a quick, low-dose first look and is often enough. CT is used when the X-ray is inconclusive, when detail on lung nodules, PE, ILD or emphysema matters, or when the clinical picture points to something a plain film can’t answer.
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When is contrast needed for a chest CT?
Contrast is used when the question is about blood vessels (CTPA for suspected PE), lymph nodes, mediastinal masses, or cancer staging. A plain non-contrast chest CT is enough for many lung questions and for screening.
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Am I eligible for lung cancer screening?
Low-dose screening is aimed at higher-risk adults — typically age 55–74 with a significant smoking history. We’ll assess your risk and, where indicated, arrange a low-dose screening CT.
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How much radiation is involved?
A standard chest CT is around 5–7 mSv; a low-dose screening protocol is closer to 1–2 mSv. Modern scanners have reduced dose substantially. We only recommend CT where the benefit clearly outweighs it.
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Can I have a chest CT if I am pregnant?
It is generally avoided. Tell us you are or might be pregnant and we’ll look at MRI, a shielded chest X-ray, or waiting where safe to do so.
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How much does a private chest CT cost in London?
A standard chest CT is typically £350–£650; contrast, CTPA and staging studies cost more. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Yes — chest CT is arranged with a referral because the dose means it should be clinically justified. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if you need one.
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How quickly do I get results?
A consultant thoracic radiologist report is often same-day for chest CT in our network, and urgent CTPA studies are expedited within hours.
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What are Lung-RADS categories?
Lung-RADS is a structured reporting system for lung nodules found on screening CT. Categories 1–2 are benign or negative; 3 is probably benign with short-interval follow-up; 4 is suspicious and warrants further work-up.
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When should I see a GP urgently?
Coughing up blood (haemoptysis), sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain with breathlessness, or a persistent cough with weight loss — these need same-day A&E or urgent GP review, not a routine scan slot.
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