If you’ve been told you need an MRI scan, chances are you’re wondering how long you might have to wait. As with many NHS waiting times, MRI waiting times are potentially lengthy.
But is that the full story? Join us as we investigate the world of MRI and ask how long you’ll likely wait for a scan.
An MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues, organs, and joints. They are designed to diagnose injuries and medical conditions.
Private MRI scans at Practice Plus Group are available around one week after initial booking enquiry and quicker results compared to the NHS.
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a key diagnostic test that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of your body. The scans are primarily used to explore injuries and damage to muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments. They can also provide imaging of organs and bodily abnormalities and are used to diagnose different health issues.
During an MRI scan, you will be asked to lie down on a bed that slides into the MRI machine. The scanner then takes images of the parts of your body that require diagnosis. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown and hold your breath for certain parts of the process. This is because you need to remain as still as possible for the machine to produce detailed images. MRI machines are generally quite noisy, so you will be given ear plugs and headphones so you can listen to music.
You must remove any metal objects such as jewellery before the procedure. An MRI scanner may not be suitable for people with metal implants. Ask your doctor for more guidance. Occasionally, contrast agents are used which, in rare cases, can cause an allergic reaction or side effects.
An MRI scan can be used to diagnose a wide range of health conditions. The accuracy provided by the images help radiologists detect abnormalities and problems with bones, organs, blood vessels, ligaments and joints.
For example, MRI scans are particularly helpful for spotting problems with the spine, ligaments, soft tissues and nerves. This makes them a good option for people suffering from back pain or sports injuries that have been difficult to diagnose.
Issues such as headaches, balance problems, memory loss and abdominal pain can also be investigated using an MRI scanner.
According to the NHS Constitution, the aim is for patients to receive their MRI scan six weeks after referral. The NHS Waiting List Tracker is a useful tool that can give you an idea of the waiting times facing NHS patients in your region.
If waiting for six weeks or longer sounds too long to wait, you could consider private care.
If you are a private patient with Practice Plus Group, getting an MRI scan takes around one week from your referral. However, this will depend on the location of the hospital you’re visiting.
Patients seeking a scan through the NHS will need a referral form from their GP. The NHS waiting time aim between referral and diagnostic imaging is six weeks.
If you opt for a private diagnostic test, you may be able to self-refer by submitting an enquiry form or calling us. A member of our team will ask you some questions about the reason for the scan, your general health and GP details. If a scan is deemed necessary, you’ll be booked in for a time and day that suits you.
On the NHS, you may need to wait one or two weeks to receive the results of your MRI. At Practice Plus Group, your results will be available to your referrer three working days after your scan.
An MRI scan itself can take between 15 minutes to an hour to complete. The process takes longer than other diagnostic imaging (like x-rays) due to the number of images needed to build a 3D picture of your affected body part. Results can take a while to process due to the detailed nature of the imagery and the in-depth analysis required.
We know that waiting for diagnostic procedures can be stressful and frustrating. This can especially be the case if you‘re dealing with pain that affects your everyday quality of life.
To help manage anxiety and prepare for your upcoming test, you may find the following tips useful:
If the wait is putting too much pressure on your physical or mental health, it may be worth considering options to reduce your waiting time.
NHS MRI waiting time can be long and frustrating. One way to significantly reduce the wait is to become a private patient.
This will give you control over the timing and location of your MRI scan. It will also ensure a faster diagnosis and potentially provide peace of mind.
At Practice Plus Group, the waiting time between referral and MRI scan is just one week (depending on location).
To book a private MRI scan with Practice Plus Group, you can:
One of our team will be in touch to discuss your symptoms and gather details.
Private healthcare offers greater flexibility over when, where, and by whom you’re treated. In the vast majority of cases, the waiting times are shorter too, and with Practice Plus Group, prices are transparent.
Choosing private healthcare can make planned treatment easier to fit around work, family, and personal commitments. Options to access private treatment are self-pay, payments plans, or medical insurance.
Acknowledgements and clinical review
This page has been medically reviewed and approved by Mr Gyorgy Lovasz, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough. He is a GMC-registered consultant surgeon (GMC: 6096593), with over 43 years of surgical experience and holds MD and FRCS (Orth) qualifications. His specialist practice includes hip and knee surgery with special interest in knee arthroscopy, complex knee surgery, aspiration of joint, soft tissue repair, and ultrasound-guided injection (USGI).
All content on this page is produced by the Practice Plus Group digital content team and clinically reviewed by consultant specialists to ensure accuracy, patient safety, and alignment with current UK clinical best practice. Content is approved under Practice Plus Group’s clinical governance framework.
This page is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in clinical evidence, surgical practice, and patient safety standards. The last clinical review was completed on 17/6/2026, with the next review scheduled for 17/06/2027.
