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Private CT scan - fast, precise, same-week.

A private CT scan booked in days rather than weeks, reported by a UK consultant radiologist. Faster than MRI, better for lungs, bone and coronary calcium - with a small radiation dose that should be discussed up front.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private CT scan costs in the UK, by body part.

Indicative ranges across UK imaging units.

In short

£350–£900, report in 24–72 hours.

Procedure Indicative range
CT chest £400–£700
CT abdomen and pelvis £500–£900
CT head £350–£550
CT coronary calcium score £250–£450
CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) £800–£1,400
CT colonography £700–£1,100
CT urogram £550–£900

Prices vary by body part, contrast use and cardiac studies.

The problem

CT is faster and cheaper than MRI - for the right question.

CT and MRI are not interchangeable. CT beats MRI for lung, bone, coronary calcium and acute abdominal work. MRI beats CT for soft tissue, brain and joints.

  • Faster than MRI

    Most CT studies take under 10 minutes.

  • A small radiation dose

    A chest CT is roughly 100–300 chest X-rays. Modern low-dose protocols cut this significantly.

  • CT or MRI - which?

    Lung, bone, stone, coronary calcium, acute trauma - CT. Soft tissue, brain, joints, prostate, pelvis - MRI.

When it helps

When a private CT is the right step.

CT is the fastest answer for specific questions - plus the red flag that means A&E, not an outpatient booking.

  • Suspected lung disease

    Persistent cough, breathlessness, smoker at risk - CT is the standard.

  • Kidney or ureteric stones

    Sudden loin pain - non-contrast CT KUB confirms and localises.

  • Acute abdominal pain

    Appendicitis, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction - CT is the fastest answer.

  • Coronary calcium screening

    A single low-dose CT gives a calcium score - a strong coronary risk marker.

  • Cancer staging or follow-up

    Chest-abdomen-pelvis CT is the workhorse of oncology staging.

  • CT colonography

    Alternative to endoscopy for those who cannot or will not have a colonoscope.

  • Vascular imaging

    Aortic aneurysm, dissection, pulmonary embolism - CT angiography is first-line.

  • Red flag: sudden severe symptoms

    Chest pain with breathlessness, severe abdominal pain or sudden weakness - A&E, not a private booking.

Procedure options

Options within CT - dose, contrast, cardiac and beyond.

What each option involves and when it fits.

  • Low-dose CT

    Modern protocols cut radiation by 30–80%. Standard for lung screening and calcium score.

  • CT with IV contrast

    Iodine-based contrast used for most abdominal, chest and vascular studies.

  • Non-contrast CT

    For stones, head trauma, calcium score and some lung studies.

  • CT angiography

    Timed contrast bolus - for pulmonary embolism, coronary CTA and aortic disease.

  • CT colonography

    Air-distended colon read as a virtual endoscopy. Alternative to colonoscope.

  • Cardiac CT (calcium + CTCA)

    Calcium score alone screens risk; CTCA maps coronary anatomy.

  • CT urogram

    Delayed-phase contrast to image the collecting system and ureters.

  • Dual-energy CT

    Newer scanners - improves stone characterisation and contrast reduction.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

The safety profile is well understood. What matters is choosing the right test, and reading the report honestly.

  • A small radiation dose

    Chest CT is 5–7 mSv, abdomen 8–10 mSv. Modern low-dose protocols reduce this.

  • Contrast is generally safe

    Reaction rates under 1%. Kidney function checked in at-risk patients.

  • Metformin and diabetes

    Metformin may be paused for 48 hours after contrast if kidney function is borderline.

  • Pregnancy

    CT is generally avoided in pregnancy - MRI or ultrasound preferred where possible.

  • Iodine or shellfish allergy

    Modern contrast is not related to shellfish. Iodine allergy is discussed case by case.

  • Claustrophobia

    CT scanners are open and quick - tolerated by nearly everyone.

  • Incidental findings

    Small nodules and cysts are common. A good report gives clear next steps.

  • When to escalate

    Sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness or sudden weakness - A&E.

  • Not always the right test

    Soft tissue, joints, brain detail or prostate - MRI is usually better.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever centre does the scan, the report keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - it is fine to ask for plain English.

It is reasonable to ask your clinician to talk you through the operation note and any histology before your review.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and protocol

    Body part, contrast phase and slice thickness.

  2. 02 Findings

    Region-by-region description

    A structured read of each organ system.

  3. 03 Comparison

    Change from prior imaging

    New, stable or resolved compared to previous studies.

  4. 04 Impression

    What matters and what to do

    Read this first - summary and next steps.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Imaging is usually covered by UK private medical insurance when there’s a specialist referral and a clear clinical indication. Screening scans in well people are almost always self-pay.

Frequently asked

Common questions about private ct scan.

Quick answers on approach, recovery, risks and cost.

  • CT or MRI - which do I need?

    CT is better for lungs, bone, kidney stones, coronary calcium, acute trauma and cancer staging. MRI is better for soft tissue, brain detail, joints, prostate and pelvis. Your referrer will match the scan to the question.

  • How much radiation is in a CT?

    Chest CT is roughly 5–7 mSv, abdomen-pelvis 8–10 mSv - equivalent to a few years of background radiation. Modern low-dose protocols cut this significantly.

  • How much does a private CT cost in the UK?

    £350–£550 for a head, £400–£700 for a chest, £500–£900 for abdomen-pelvis, £250–£450 for a calcium score, £800–£1,400 for CTCA, £700–£1,100 for colonography.

  • Will I need contrast?

    Most abdominal, chest and vascular CTs use IV iodinated contrast. Stone, calcium and some head studies are non-contrast. Kidney function is checked first.

  • Is CT safe in pregnancy?

    CT is generally avoided in pregnancy. MRI or ultrasound is preferred where possible. If CT is the only test that answers the question, it can be justified with informed consent.

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