Skip to main content

Concierge imaging · London

Private X-ray in London, read by a consultant radiologist.

Fast, low-dose digital X-ray for fractures, chest and joint questions. We match you to a CQC-registered London clinic, arrange same-day where clinically urgent, and get it read by a consultant radiologist.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    Same-day where it counts

    For a suspected fracture or an urgent chest question, we arrange an X-ray the same day.

  • 02

    Low-dose, digital only

    We route you to modern digital equipment that keeps the dose as low as reasonably achievable.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We take nothing from clinics - the recommendation is yours alone, at no cost.

Indicative pricing

What a private X-ray 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 single-region X-ray in our network: £75-£150, reported in 24 hours.

Scan type Indicative range
Single X-ray (one region) £75–£150
Two-region X-ray £120–£220
Chest X-ray with cardiologist review £120–£250
Skeletal survey £250–£450
Barium studies (specialist) £400–£800
Same-day urgent X-ray £120–£250

Prices vary by clinic, time of day, number of views taken, and whether a specialist review or barium contrast is used. We come back with a firm quote within hours.

The problem

An X-ray is quick - if you can actually get one.

On the NHS a walk-in X-ray often means a long wait; privately a walk-in service can under-report the film. We arrange a same-day X-ray at a CQC-registered clinic and get it read by a consultant radiologist.

  • Fracture, or just a bad sprain?

    An X-ray settles it in minutes. We route you to a clinic that can see you today.

  • Cough that will not shift?

    A chest X-ray is the sensible first test. We can add a cardiology review if useful.

  • Not sure X-ray is the right test?

    For soft tissue, ligaments or the abdomen and pelvis, MRI or ultrasound is often better. We will say so.

The journey

From enquiry to report - what happens, in order.

One concierge from enquiry to signed report - usually within a day.

  1. 01

    Before

    You tell us what is going on

    A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, referral or insurer if you have them.

  2. 02

    Before

    We come back with a recommendation

    Usually within hours: which view, which clinic, indicative price. If X-ray is not the right first test, we say so.

  3. 03

    Before

    We arrange the appointment

    Often same day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled where relevant.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Arrival and quick check

    Metallic clothing removed. A short check on pregnancy and previous imaging.

  5. 05

    On the day

    In the X-ray room

    A few minutes. You stand, sit or lie for one or two views. It is quick and painless.

  6. 06

    On the day

    Straight home

    No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.

  7. 07

    After

    Report and next steps

    Consultant radiologist report in 24 hours as standard, same day when urgent. We route it to your GP or specialist.

Typical end-to-end: same day–24 hours. Complex studies: 24-72 hours.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your symptom.

X-ray earns its place for bone, joint and chest questions. These are the ones we arrange most.

  • Suspected fracture

    Bone injury after a fall or impact - the fastest test.

  • Joint pain & arthritis

    Alignment, wear and joint space visible on X-ray.

  • Chest complaints

    Persistent cough, breathlessness or chest pain - a chest X-ray is the first step.

  • Sinus & facial injury

    Facial-bone or sinus imaging when clinically indicated.

  • Dental & jaw imaging

    OPG and jaw views for dental and TMJ questions.

  • Foreign body

    Metal or dense foreign objects show clearly on X-ray.

  • Post-op review

    Hardware position and healing after surgery.

  • When more detail is needed

    X-ray shows bone; soft tissue is better on MRI or ultrasound - we advise.

X-ray types

Not all X-rays are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Chest X-ray

    The first-line test for cough, breathlessness or chest pain.

  • Extremity (limb) X-ray

    Hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee - fast fracture assessment.

  • Spine X-ray

    Cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine, standing or lying.

  • Skull & facial X-ray

    Facial-bone and sinus views when clinically indicated.

  • Abdominal X-ray

    A first look at the bowel, gas patterns and some stones.

  • Weight-bearing/standing X-ray

    Standing views for hip, knee, foot and spine alignment.

  • Skeletal survey

    A structured series of X-rays across multiple regions.

  • Barium studies

    Contrast studies of the gut done by a specialist radiologist.

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.

A modern London clinic with current-generation digital X-ray equipment
Modern digital equipment
  • CQC-registered, with a current good or outstanding rating

  • Reported by consultant radiologists, not a generalist

  • Modern digital X-ray equipment, low-dose by default

  • Same-day report where the case is clinically urgent

Safety and eligibility

Small dose, big value - when it is the right test.

X-ray uses a small dose of ionising radiation. A chest X-ray is roughly three days of natural background. We justify the study, use low-dose digital equipment, and know when a scan without radiation would be better.

  • Radiation dose

    The dose from an X-ray is small, but not zero. We explain the dose for the study you need.

  • Pregnancy

    Avoided unless essential. If it is essential, shielding is used and the dose is kept minimal.

  • Children

    Paediatric-experienced radiographers, dose adjusted for size, and MRI or ultrasound first where possible.

  • Metallic clothing removed

    Bras with wires, zips, belts and jewellery come off - they obscure the image.

  • Very recent barium

    A recent barium meal or enema can hide detail on abdominal X-rays. Tell us.

  • Positioning limits after trauma

    For fresh injury we choose views that do not force uncomfortable positions.

  • Contrast

    Most X-rays use no injection. Only specific studies (barium, contrast) use it.

  • Repeated X-rays over time

    Dose adds up across a lifetime. We do not repeat a study without a clear reason.

  • When MRI or ultrasound is better

    For soft tissue, tendon or gynaecological questions, we recommend those tests first.

Reading your report

An X-ray report is short. And structured.

An X-ray report is short and follows the same four parts every time.

A consultant radiologist reviewing X-ray images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that is normal.

If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details, region and question

    Your details, the region imaged, and the clinical question behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    Which view was taken

    Which projections were used (AP, lateral, oblique) and any weight-bearing views.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the radiologist saw

    A structured description of the bones and soft tissue visible on the film, including any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion in brief - read this first. Your specialist discusses it in context.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about X-rays.

Quick answers on cost, referrals, radiation dose, safety and results.

  • How quickly can I get a private X-ray in London?

    Most of our central London sites can X-ray you the same day, often within a couple of hours of walking in, and the consultant radiologist report lands with you within 24 hours. A single-region X-ray runs about £75–£150; two regions or chest with cardiologist review cost a little more.

  • Do I need a referral for a private X-ray?

    Most private clinics require a brief referral for medico-legal reasons, even for a simple X-ray. We can arrange a fast-track private GP the same day if you do not already have one.

  • How much radiation is in an X-ray?

    Very little. A chest X-ray is around 0.02 mSv - about three days of natural background radiation. Extremity views are lower again. We only recommend the study when the benefit clearly outweighs the small dose.

  • How quickly can I get an X-ray in London?

    For fracture, chest or urgent joint questions, we typically arrange it the same day - including evenings and Saturdays across our network.

  • How quickly will I get the results?

    A consultant radiologist report is usually ready within 24 hours, and same day when urgent. With your consent we send it and the images to your GP or specialist.

  • When is an X-ray enough, and when do I need MRI or ultrasound?

    X-ray is the right first test for bone and joint alignment, chest complaints and fracture. For soft tissue, ligaments, cartilage or the abdomen and pelvis in detail, MRI or ultrasound is often better. We will say so upfront.

  • Is an X-ray safe in pregnancy?

    X-rays are avoided in pregnancy unless essential. If one is essential, shielding is used and the dose is kept minimal. Always tell us if you are or may be pregnant.

  • Are X-rays safe for children?

    Yes, when justified. We use paediatric-experienced radiographers, adjust the dose for size, and consider MRI or ultrasound first wherever those answer the question.

  • Will my insurance cover an X-ray?

    Most policies cover X-ray when clinically indicated and pre-authorised. Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Healix recognise us, and we handle the pre-authorisation.

  • Do I need to prepare for an X-ray?

    For most X-rays, no. Wear something without metal on the region being imaged, or expect to change into a gown. For barium studies, we send specific instructions in advance.

In practice, in London

The honest picture around x ray in London

With x ray, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for x ray on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

Once you’re in the private system for x ray, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different - one person on the other end of the phone, not a switchboard. For x ray specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are a lot of consultants in London who can technically handle x ray. Fewer who do it week in, week out for the exact question you’re bringing. We spend most of our time working out which is which - and being straight when a different test or a different specialist would serve you better. Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about fit, not floor.

Pulse Healthcare concierge

Send us your enquiry

A concierge service for UK private healthcare. We match you with the best vetted clinics and consultants in our network - they then contact you directly.

So we can match you to the right clinician close to you.

We reply to every enquiry within 24 hours (Mon–Fri). Confidential - your details are never shared outside our vetted consultant network.