Diagnostic imaging · London
Private MRI scan - London
Same-week MRI appointments across our vetted London network, reported by a consultant radiologist within 24 to 72 hours. From £450 for a single-area MSK scan through to whole-body MRI. No GP referral required for most indications.
Why private MRI
Days, not months, from question to answer.
NHS MRI waits routinely run to several weeks. A private scan closes the loop within days and puts the imaging into the hands of a sub-specialist reporter.
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No GP referral for most indications
Self-pay MRI for MSK, spine, brain and prostate can be booked directly through the clinic triage.
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Same-week appointment
Typical time from enquiry to scan is two to five working days across our London network.
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Consultant radiologist report
A named consultant radiologist reads and signs the report within 24 to 72 hours, and same day where urgent.
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Choice of 1.5T or 3T
The right field strength is chosen for the clinical question, not for what the clinic has in the room.
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Wide-bore for claustrophobic
A 70 cm bore is available at almost every centre and comfortably fits larger patients.
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Direct-to-you results portal
Full report and imaging are uploaded to your patient portal and shared with any specialist you nominate.
Body areas covered
Every region, one modality.
MRI is the go-to imaging test wherever soft-tissue detail matters and radiation is best avoided.
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Brain and head
Headache, memory, dizziness, suspected MS, pituitary and posterior fossa. Standard sequences plus contrast where indicated.
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Cervical spine
Neck pain, arm radiculopathy, disc prolapse, cord signal change and post-surgical assessment.
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Thoracic spine
Mid-back pain, disc disease and screening for cord or vertebral pathology.
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Lumbar spine
Low back pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis and pre-operative planning for microdiscectomy.
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Knee
Meniscal tears, ACL and PCL injuries, cartilage defects and patellar tracking.
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Shoulder
Rotator cuff tears, labral pathology and impingement, often with intra-articular contrast.
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Hip
Labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, avascular necrosis and osteoarthritis workup.
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Ankle and foot
Sports injuries, tendon pathology, stress fractures and diabetic foot assessment.
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Wrist and hand
TFCC injuries, scaphoid fractures and inflammatory arthritis.
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Prostate (mpMRI)
Multiparametric MRI to PI-RADS v2.1 for men with a raised PSA before any biopsy.
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Breast
High-risk screening, implant assessment and problem solving after mammography or ultrasound.
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Pelvis
Endometriosis mapping, fibroids, ovarian mass characterisation and anal fistula work-up.
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Cardiac
Function, viability, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy and stress perfusion imaging.
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Abdomen
Liver, pancreas, kidney and adrenal MRI including MRCP for biliary and pancreatic disease.
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Whole-body MRI
Executive screening covering brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and major joints in one visit.
Scanner strengths
The right magnet for the question.
Field strength is not automatically better at higher numbers. A well-matched 1.5T often outperforms a mismatched 3T.
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1.5 Tesla
The workhorse of UK MRI. Adequate for the vast majority of clinical questions, quieter and more forgiving of patient motion.
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3 Tesla
Higher-resolution images with better signal-to-noise. Preferred for prostate mpMRI, detailed brain, small joints and pituitary work.
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Wide-bore 70 cm
A more open tunnel that suits claustrophobic patients and those with a larger body habitus, available on most 1.5T and some 3T systems.
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Open MRI
Available at select London centres for severe claustrophobia. Image quality is lower than closed systems but often good enough for spine and limbs.
Contrast MRI
When gadolinium is added.
Around one in three MRI scans uses intravenous contrast. It is only injected where the clinical benefit clearly justifies it.
Gadolinium is a rare-earth contrast agent bound to a chelate that makes it safe for intravenous use. Injected into an arm vein just before or during the scan, it highlights tissues with abnormal blood supply. That is essential in tumour characterisation and staging, vascular imaging such as MR angiography, breast MRI, cardiac perfusion, and follow-up of multiple sclerosis where active plaques take up contrast.
If you have any concern about kidney function, a creatinine or eGFR within the last three months is required before contrast is given. Gadolinium is normally avoided in pregnancy unless the clinical benefit clearly outweighs any theoretical risk. Modern macrocyclic agents have an excellent safety profile; a brief cold or warm sensation at the injection site is the commonest side effect.
Preparation
What to bring, and what to leave behind.
MRI safety hinges on catching metal and implants before you enter the scanner room. The checklist below matters.
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Arrive 30 minutes early
Time for the MRI safety questionnaire, changing and cannulation if contrast is planned.
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Wear loose clothing
Soft, metal-free clothing is fine. Anything with zips, wires or metallic thread must come off before scanning.
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Remove all metal
Jewellery, watches, hair clips, piercings and hearing aids. Leave valuables at home where possible.
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MRI safety screening
Declare pacemakers, defibrillators, aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, metallic fragments and past surgery. Some devices need clinic clearance.
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Fasting for MRCP or abdomen
A 4 to 6 hour fast is usual for biliary or upper-abdominal MRI. Standard water is allowed unless told otherwise.
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Recent kidney function
If gadolinium contrast is planned and you have kidney concern, a creatinine or eGFR within three months is required.
Scan duration
How long you will be in the room.
Actual scanning time varies with the region and whether contrast is required. Add 15 to 30 minutes for check-in and safety.
| Study | Typical duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal (single joint) | 20 to 30 minutes | Meniscus, cartilage, ligament, tendon |
| Brain | 15 to 30 minutes | Longer if contrast, MRA or MRS added |
| Spine (single region) | 20 to 35 minutes | Longer for full spine or post-contrast |
| Multiparametric prostate | 30 to 45 minutes | T2, diffusion and dynamic contrast sequences |
| Cardiac MRI | 60 to 90 minutes | Function, viability, stress perfusion |
| Whole-body screening MRI | 45 to 90 minutes | Depends on protocol and coil changes |
Cost in London
All-inclusive of consultant reporting.
Indicative bands across our vetted London network. We come back with a firm quote for two or three named clinics within one working day.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Single-area MSK (1.5T) | £450 – £850 | 24–48 hrs |
| Single-area MSK (3T) | £550 – £1,000 | 24–48 hrs |
| Brain MRI | £550 – £950 | 24–48 hrs |
| Spine MRI (single region) | £550 – £1,200 | 24–48 hrs |
| Multi-area MRI (two or three regions) | £850 – £1,600 | 48–72 hrs |
| Multiparametric prostate MRI | £950 – £1,600 | 48–72 hrs |
| Breast MRI | £850 – £1,400 | 48–72 hrs |
| Cardiac MRI (with stress perfusion) | £1,200 – £1,800 | 3–5 days |
| Whole-body MRI (all-inclusive) | £1,900 – £3,400 | 5–7 days |
Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Healix all recognise MRI when it is medically indicated and pre-authorised. We handle the pre-authorisation with your insurer before the appointment is confirmed.
Where it is done
The London MRI network we use.
Each is CQC-registered and reports through a sub-specialist consultant radiologist matched to the region being scanned.
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St John's Wood
HCA Wellington Radiology
High-field 1.5T and 3T scanners with wide-bore and sub-specialist consultant radiologist reporting.
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London Bridge
HCA London Bridge Diagnostics
Same-week appointments across neuro, MSK and body MRI with 24 to 48 hour consultant report.
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Kensington
Cromwell Hospital (Bupa)
3T Siemens platform, evening and Saturday lists, pathway to Bupa consultants.
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Marylebone
OneWelbeck Imaging
Consultant-led diagnostic hub, mpMRI prostate and cardiac MRI on the same site.
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Marylebone
London Medical
Wide-bore 1.5T for claustrophobic and larger patients, same-day results portal.
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Marylebone
Fortius Clinic MSK Imaging
Dedicated musculoskeletal 3T service reported by sports and MSK consultant radiologists.
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Chelsea
Royal Marsden Private Diagnostic
Oncology-grade MRI for tumour characterisation, staging and treatment response.
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Multi-site
InHealth Group London
Community-based 1.5T scanners across Zones 1 to 3 with fast self-pay access.
Related
Adjacent tests and next steps.
What we typically pair with MRI, and what often follows the report.
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Private CT scan
Faster, better for bone and acute chest or abdomen; uses ionising radiation.
Read more -
Private ultrasound
Bedside, radiation-free, first-line for soft-tissue lumps and pelvic imaging.
Read more -
DEXA scan
Bone density measurement for osteoporosis screening and monitoring.
Read more -
PET-CT
Metabolic-anatomical fusion imaging for cancer staging and response.
Read more -
Coronary CT angiography
Non-invasive first-line test for stable chest pain.
Read more -
Cardiac MRI
The reference standard for heart muscle, scarring and function.
Read more -
MRI-US fusion prostate biopsy
The usual next step after a suspicious mpMRI prostate scan.
Read more -
Whole-body MRI
Executive screening scan covering head to pelvis in one visit.
Read more
Frequently asked
What patients ask before booking a private MRI.
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Do I need a GP referral for a private MRI?
For most self-pay MRI in London a formal GP letter is not required. A short online triage with the clinic, or a same-day private GP video call, is enough to justify the scan and issue the imaging request. Insurance work is different. Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna all require a referral from a GP or a consultant plus a pre-authorisation code before they will settle the bill.
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I am claustrophobic. What are my options?
The first step is a wide-bore 70 cm scanner, which most patients tolerate without any medication. Your head stays outside the bore for scans below the neck. If that is not enough, a mild oral sedative can be prescribed for the appointment, and a chaperone can stay in the room. For severe claustrophobia we can book you into an open MRI at a select London centre, accepting a modest trade-off in image quality.
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Can I have an MRI if I am pregnant?
MRI without contrast is considered safe in pregnancy and is often the imaging of choice, particularly after the first trimester, because it avoids ionising radiation. Gadolinium contrast is normally avoided in pregnancy unless the clinical benefit clearly outweighs any theoretical risk. Always tell the team if you are, or might be, pregnant before the scan.
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Will my private medical insurance cover the MRI?
MRI is well recognised by all major UK insurers when it is medically indicated. You will normally need a GP or consultant referral and a pre-authorisation code before the appointment is confirmed. We handle the pre-authorisation on your behalf and let you know if any excess or shortfall applies. Screening scans on an asymptomatic patient are usually self-pay.
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How and when do I get the results?
A consultant radiologist reports the scan within 24 to 72 hours for standard MRI, and same-day where an urgent report has been requested. The written report and full imaging set are sent to your referring clinician, uploaded to your patient portal and forwarded to any onward specialist you nominate. We coordinate the follow-up appointment where needed.
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Do tattoos affect an MRI?
Most modern tattoo inks are safe in an MRI scanner. Older tattoos containing iron oxide pigments can occasionally warm up during scanning; the radiographer will ask about this and can apply a cold pack over the area. Very rare skin irritation is reported but scans are only stopped in a small minority of cases.
Concierge diagnostic imaging
Get matched with the right London MRI clinic, in one working day.
Tell us the region, symptoms and insurer. We come back with two or three named options, firm prices and the earliest slot on our vetted panel. Free, and independent by design.