Diagnostic test · NHS England, July 2026
MRI scan NHS waiting times
An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body. In July 2026, 393,729 people were waiting for one in England and 21.4% had waited 6 weeks or more.
People waiting
393,729
▼ −4,443 vs previous month
Waiting 6+ weeks
21.4%
▼ −0.8pp vs previous month
Standard: under 1%
Median wait so far
3.0 weeks
Tests done in the month
455,394
Thinking of paying privately?
Published self-pay prices for a MRI scan at the main UK private hospital groups start from £325 (up to about £655).
Shortest MRI scan waits
Providers with at least 200 people waiting, sorted by share waiting 6+ weeks (July 2026).
| Hospital / provider | 6+ weeks | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Tameside and Glossop Integrated CareNorth West | 0.0% | 1.3 weeks |
| The Royal MarsdenLondon | 0.0% | 1.3 weeks |
| Royal SurreySouth East | 0.0% | 1.4 weeks |
| Queen Victoria HospitalSouth East | 0.0% | 2.0 weeks |
| Homerton HealthcareLondon | 0.0% | 2.2 weeks |
| The Walton CentreNorth West | 0.0% | 2.3 weeks |
| The Royal Orthopaedic HospitalWest Midlands | 0.0% | 2.6 weeks |
| Ashford and St Peter's HospitalsSouth East | 0.1% | 1.2 weeks |
| Great Western HospitalsSouth West | 0.1% | 1.9 weeks |
| The RotherhamYorkshire & the Humber | 0.1% | 2.5 weeks |
| Kingston and RichmondLondon | 0.2% | 1.5 weeks |
| Gateshead HealthNorth East & Yorkshire | 0.2% | 2.1 weeks |
| Royal National Orthopaedic HospitalLondon | 0.3% | 1.7 weeks |
| Barnsley HospitalYorkshire & the Humber | 0.3% | 2.0 weeks |
| Croydon Health ServicesLondon | 0.3% | 2.1 weeks |
Longest MRI scan waits
- Royal Papworth Hospital75.8% 6+ wks
- James Paget University Hospitals55.9% 6+ wks
- Portsmouth Hospitals University50.4% 6+ wks
- Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals49.1% 6+ wks
- East Kent Hospitals University47.6% 6+ wks
- United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals47.5% 6+ wks
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton47.2% 6+ wks
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals45.9% 6+ wks
- Royal Devon University Healthcare44.5% 6+ wks
- Northern Lincolnshire and Goole44.2% 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 | 393,729 | 78.6% | 19,086 |
| June 2026 | 398,172 | 77.8% | 21,415 |
| May 2026 | 380,023 | 77.0% | 22,292 |
| April 2026 | 399,281 | 75.5% | 23,149 |
| March 2026 | 395,954 | 78.5% | 19,854 |
| February 2026 | 387,666 | 80.1% | 19,876 |
| January 2026 | 371,531 | 75.9% | 18,425 |
| December 2025 | 356,922 | 77.5% | 15,939 |
| November 2025 | 364,435 | 81.4% | 13,514 |
| October 2025 | 362,389 | 82.6% | 14,995 |
| September 2025 | 335,220 | 82.8% | 13,841 |
| August 2025 | 311,834 | 81.2% | 12,547 |
| July 2025 | 343,434 | 83.2% | 13,098 |
Questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for a MRI scan?
In July 2026, 393,729 people in England were waiting for a MRI scan. Half had waited longer than 3.0 weeks and 21.4% 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 MRI scan?
Among providers with at least 200 people waiting, the lowest share waiting 6+ weeks in July 2026 was at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care (0.0%), The Royal Marsden (0.0%), Royal Surrey (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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