Diagnostic test · NHS England, July 2026
DEXA scan NHS waiting times
A DEXA scan is a low-dose X-ray that measures bone density, often to check for osteoporosis. In July 2026, 70,075 people were waiting for one in England and 19.4% had waited 6 weeks or more.
People waiting
70,075
▲ +1,578 vs previous month
Waiting 6+ weeks
19.4%
▲ +2.9pp vs previous month
Standard: under 1%
Median wait so far
3.1 weeks
Tests done in the month
57,285
Shortest DEXA scan waits
Providers with at least 200 people waiting, sorted by share waiting 6+ weeks (July 2026).
| Hospital / provider | 6+ weeks | Median |
|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals DorsetSouth West | 0.0% | 1.1 weeks |
| East and North Hertfordshire TeachingEast of England | 0.0% | 1.1 weeks |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge WellsSouth East | 0.0% | 1.2 weeks |
| Barnsley HospitalYorkshire & the Humber | 0.0% | 1.5 weeks |
| Surrey and Sussex HealthcareSouth East | 0.0% | 1.7 weeks |
| University Hospitals of Derby and BurtonEast Midlands | 0.0% | 2.1 weeks |
| Manchester UniversityNorth West | 0.0% | 2.1 weeks |
| Lancashire Teaching HospitalsNorth West | 0.0% | 2.2 weeks |
| North Cumbria Integrated CareNorth West | 0.0% | 2.3 weeks |
| Gateshead HealthNorth East & Yorkshire | 0.0% | 2.3 weeks |
| MedwaySouth East | 0.0% | 2.3 weeks |
| Northumbria HealthcareNorth East & Yorkshire | 0.0% | 2.4 weeks |
| Leeds Teaching HospitalsYorkshire & the Humber | 0.0% | 2.4 weeks |
| Homerton HealthcareLondon | 0.0% | 2.6 weeks |
| St George's University HospitalsLondon | 0.0% | 2.6 weeks |
Longest DEXA scan waits
- Mid and South Essex68.4% 6+ wks
- Royal Devon University Healthcare67.6% 6+ wks
- Barts Health57.1% 6+ wks
- Harrogate and District55.5% 6+ wks
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals55.4% 6+ wks
- Spire Regency Hospital54.3% 6+ wks
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare42.2% 6+ wks
- University Hospitals Birmingham38.1% 6+ wks
- Royal Free London37.7% 6+ wks
- Countess of Chester Hospital36.5% 6+ wks
England, last 13 months
% of people waiting under 6 weeks
Show month-by-month figures
| Month | Waiting | Within 6 wks | 13+ wks |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 70,075 | 80.6% | 3,109 |
| June 2026 | 68,497 | 83.5% | 2,500 |
| May 2026 | 64,826 | 83.3% | 2,240 |
| April 2026 | 62,926 | 83.5% | 2,097 |
| March 2026 | 61,320 | 87.0% | 1,979 |
| February 2026 | 58,243 | 88.5% | 2,032 |
| January 2026 | 57,068 | 84.2% | 2,275 |
| December 2025 | 54,445 | 83.3% | 2,328 |
| November 2025 | 57,002 | 85.7% | 1,958 |
| October 2025 | 57,099 | 86.8% | 1,834 |
| September 2025 | 54,670 | 85.2% | 1,827 |
| August 2025 | 54,999 | 85.4% | 1,815 |
| July 2025 | 57,293 | 86.5% | 1,614 |
Questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for a DEXA scan?
In July 2026, 70,075 people in England were waiting for a DEXA scan. Half had waited longer than 3.1 weeks and 19.4% had waited 6 weeks or more. The NHS standard is that no more than 1% should wait 6 weeks.
Which hospitals have the shortest waits for a DEXA scan?
Among providers with at least 200 people waiting, the lowest share waiting 6+ weeks in July 2026 was at University Hospitals Dorset (0.0%), East and North Hertfordshire Teaching (0.0%), Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (0.0%).
Can I get a scan or test done faster?
Tests are usually booked by the hospital or GP team that referred you. If you have been waiting a long time, contact the department or the hospital's patient advice and liaison service (PALS). Some tests are also offered at community diagnostic centres.
Sources: NHS England statistics on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times (July 2026), A&E attendances (August 2026), diagnostic waiting times (DM01) and cancer waiting times, published 10 September 2026; hospital sites from the nhs.uk organisation data. Figures are checked against the official national totals before every update.
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