Click here for our FAQs

• Do I need a referral?

  A key benefit of booking with Scan.com is that you do not need a GP referral to access our services. There is also no self-referral process. Instead, our in-house medical team will contact you once you have booked and made payment for your scan. Our clinicians will ask you for all of the relevant information they need to compile a referral on your behalf, which is then passed on to your chosen scanning site.

• How will I receive my results?

  Once you have had your scan, the scanning centre will send your results to our clinical team. They will review the imaging report and contact you to discuss the findings and any next steps to consider. After this, your report will be emailed to you in PDF format with a patient-friendly interactive report via a web link.

  Our estimated timeframe for sharing your results is between 7-10 working days of your scan, but this varies by scanning centre and, in many cases, can be much quicker.

  Digital copies of your images are also available as required for onward care. The method for accessing the images differs depending on your chosen scanning site. Please refer to your results email for further information.

• Can you send my results to my consultant?

  If you are seeing a hospital consultant privately or through the NHS, you can email [e-mail] to arrange transfer of your report and images directly to your consultant.

  Please provide details of your hospital name, department, and consultant name.

  We cannot send results directly to GP’s, but we can provide downloadable files to you, which you can take with you when you next visit your GP.

• What is a 3T scanner?

  The classification of MRI scanners as 3T or 1.5T relates to the strength of their magnets. 1.5T scanners have a lower magnetic field and are most commonly used in clinics. They provide accurate images for most diagnoses and body parts, and are often suitable for some patients who have certain medical implants or devices. 3T scanners have stronger magnets, and are better suited to brain, vascular, musculoskeletal and small bone system imaging in clinics. This is due to their ability to capture finer details. Read more here.

• What is an open scanner and where can I find one?

  Open MRI scanners are designed differently to traditional scanners, and are better suited to people with claustrophobia or anxiety. Instead of lying on a flat bed that is moved into the traditional tunnel-shaped scanner, an open MRI allows you to see the room around you more clearly. It usually has magnets above and below you, rather than all around you. You can use our booking locator to find your nearest open scanner, and there is further information here: https://uk.scan.com/services/private-open-and-upright-mri-scans . Read more here.

• I've paid for my scan, what happens next? 

  Once you have booked and paid for your scan, your case will be picked up by one of our clinical team. They will be in touch within 2 working days of booking. If you have not heard from a clinician after 2 working days, please contact us.

• I've had my pre-scan consultation, when will I hear from my chosen scanning location? 

  After your consultation, our clinicians will refer your appointment request to your selected scanning centre. They will call you to confirm your appointment date and time. It can take up to 7-10 working days to receive your call, but may be sooner depending on your selected scanning centre and requested appointment. Please wait until you have received this call before you make arrangements to travel to the scanning centre.

• When will I receive my results?

  After your scan, a radiologist will report on your images. Our clinicians will then review this report and call you to discuss the results. Our estimated timeframe for sharing your results is between 7-10 working days of your scan, but this varies by scanning centre and, in many cases, can be much quicker.

• How do I download my images? 

  Please request your images at [e-mail] 

• Can I cancel or reschedule my booking? 

  Yes, we do offer cancellations and refunds, though depending on the status of your booking this may incur a £50 cancellation fee. For more information, visit our terms and conditions.

  What is included in the price?

  • A pre-scan consultation from one of our medical team over the phone or via email.
  • A written referral by our medical team, using the information from your consultation.
  • An MRI scan at your chosen scanning centre.
  • A written report on your scan by a consultant radiologist.
  • Access to copies of your scan images, which are downloadable, as required.
  • A post-scan consultation with one of our medical team if there are any adverse findings in your scan.

• Scan reports can take up to a week to reach our clinic, and we then get in touch with you to discuss your results. If you have not heard from us after 7 working days, please contact us.

• Can you provide sedation? 

  We do not provide sedation for our MRI scans, but if you have any worries or concerns about your MRI, please do mention this to your consultant. We can also offer open MRI scans for people who struggle with claustrophobia. You can find out more about open scanners here.

• How long will my scan take?
  
  An MRI scan on a single body part can typically take between 10-30 minutes to complete. Full-body MRI scans, additional body parts, or more complex scans can last up to 90 minutes. This time frame can vary, and your radiographer will let you know the estimated duration of your scan before the procedure starts. Visit our news page for more information on how MRI scans work.

• Can I have a scan if I'm claustrophobic? 
  
  Yes, you can have an MRI if you are claustrophobic but we would recommend an open scan for your comfort. Please note some scans cannot be undertaken in an open scan such as a full body scan. 

• Can I have an MRI with a tattoo? 

  Some tattoo inks can contain metallic particles, which might react with the strong magnets within an MRI scanner. The risk of this happening is very low (less than 0.3%), and symptoms usually present as a tingling sensation in the skin that subsides after 24 hours. If you experience any discomfort or heat on tattooed skin during your scan, tell your radiographer immediately.

• Who can have an MRI scan? 

  MRI scans are safe and suitable for most patients. If you have any medical implants or devices, metal in your body, or are in the early stages of pregnancy, an MRI scan may not always be the best option for you. For more information about MRI safety and suitability, please visit our news page. Read more here.

• What is a contrast agent or contrast dye? 

  Contrast agents are substances such as Gadolinium or Iodine, which are injected or ingested to improve the quality and definition of MRI and CT images in some circumstances. Only around 1 in 3 MRI scans require contrast, and our clinical team will discuss whether it is required during your pre-scan consultation. If it is, we will ask to see recent blood test results to check your kidney function before your scan. A contrast injection has an additional cost of £150, which is chargeable after your clinician has confirmed whether it is necessary. You can find out more about contrast agents in our helpful guide.