Help Centre
Find answers to common questions about private MRI, full-body MRI, CT, ultrasound, and more. Browse by category or click below for detailed answers.
Booking FAQs
To book a private MRI in the UK, use GetScanned by selecting your scan type and body part, choosing a clinic and date, then completing secure payment.
Yes. You can self-refer and book a private full-body MRI online with GetScanned in minutes - no GP referral needed.
The NHS does not typically provide full-body MRI scans unless there is a specific medical reason. For proactive or screening purposes, you should book privately.
You can book a private X-ray in the UK through GetScanned by selecting your body area, choosing a clinic and date, and completing secure online payment, without any GP referral required.
No, you don’t need a GP referral to book a private mammogram through GetScanned. Our clinical team provides the referral after a short health questionnaire, making the process faster and easier.
Pricing FAQs
A private MRI scan in the UK with GetScanned starts from £340, including the scan, radiologist report, and results. In most urban hubs, a single-body-part MRI is more likely to cost around £400.
A private full-body MRI can be worth it if you value proactive health, private service, and peace of mind
A full-body MRI costs more because it covers multiple areas in one scan, takes longer to perform, and requires more extensive reporting from radiologists.
MRI scan prices vary because some scans take longer, require specialist protocols, or involve more detailed reporting. Clinic location and facilities can also affect cost.
Private CT scans in the UK typically cost between £300 and £700, depending on the body part scanned, whether contrast dye is used, and the clinic location.
Preparation FAQs
For most MRI scans, you can eat and drink as normal. Some specialist scans, however, may require fasting or modified preparation.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing without any metal fastenings. Avoid jewellery, watches, and accessories, as all metal must be removed before the scan.
Because MRI scanners use a powerful magnetic field, anything metallic must be removed before you enter the scanning room. This includes jewellery, hairpins, piercings, belts, zips, and underwired bras. Metal can distort the images, and in some cases, it may even pose a safety risk.
For the majority of patients, taking regular medication is not a problem before an MRI scan. Tablets for common conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure can usually be continued as normal. What matters most is transparency. When you complete your pre-scan questionnaire, list every medicine you take, including over-the-counter treatments and supplements. This allows the radiology team to confirm that nothing interferes with the scan process.
In rare cases, certain medicines are more relevant. For example, if your scan involves contrast dye, your team may need to know about drugs affecting kidney function or clotting. The radiographer and reporting radiologist will review these details carefully to make sure it’s safe to proceed.
GetScanned’s partner clinics are CQC-regulated and follow strict safety protocols. By sharing your medication history early, you can be confident the scan will go ahead smoothly without unnecessary delays or rescheduling.
Preparation for a full-body MRI is straightforward, and most patients do not need to make major changes. However, following a few simple steps ensures a smooth and comfortable scan.
A private MRI scan typically takes 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the body part and whether it’s a full-body scan.
During an MRI scan, you lie still inside the scanner while powerful magnets and radio waves create detailed images of your body. The process is painless, safe, and usually takes 15–90 minutes.
MRI scanners produce loud knocking and buzzing sounds, which are normal. Clinics provide earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing and make the scan more comfortable.
Open and closed MRI scanners differ in design and patient experience. Closed MRIs offer more detailed images, while open MRIs provide greater comfort and reduce claustrophobia.
An upright MRI is a type of scanner that allows patients to sit or stand during imaging. It can be more comfortable and is useful for assessing posture-related or weight-bearing conditions.
Gadolinium-based contrast may be used in some MRI scans to enhance image clarity, particularly for blood vessels, inflammation, or tumours. It is generally considered safe for most patients.
Most patients can drive immediately after a standard MRI scan. However, if sedation or contrast has been used, you should wait until any drowsiness or visual effects have passed before driving.
For most CT scans, no special preparation is needed. However, if your scan uses contrast dye (a liquid that highlights internal structures), you’ll be advised to avoid eating or drinking for about 4–6 hours before your appointment.
You should wear comfortable, loose clothing and remove any metal items such as jewellery, belts, or watches. Always tell the clinic if you have allergies, kidney issues, or are pregnant, as this can affect scan preparation or contrast use.
Your radiographer will guide you through the process on arrival. The scan itself usually takes 10–20 minutes.
Read more to understand how you can prepare for your CT scan.
There’s very little preparation needed for a DEXA scan. Just wear comfortable clothing and avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours before your appointment.
A DEXA scan is quick, painless, and requires almost no preparation. To ensure accurate results:
- Avoid taking calcium or vitamin D supplements for 24 hours beforehand.
- Wear loose, metal-free clothing (no zips, belts, or underwires).
- Inform your clinic if you are pregnant or have recently had another imaging test using contrast dye (within the last week).
You can eat and drink normally before your scan. The DEXA scan itself takes 10–15 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterwards.
Wear a two-piece outfit and avoid deodorants, lotions, or powders on your chest or underarms before a mammogram, as these can interfere with the images.
Safety FAQs
Yes, in most cases, you can bring a friend or family member with you to the clinic. However, they may not always be allowed inside the scan room. MRI and other scans use sensitive equipment, and for safety reasons, only the patient usually goes into the scanner room. Friends or family can normally wait in the reception or waiting area for support before and after the scan. In some clinics, children or vulnerable adults may be permitted to have a parent or carer present in the room, provided strict safety checks are completed first.
Yes, MRI scans are very safe. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not use ionising radiation. Instead, it relies on magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body, which are considered safe.
The main safety considerations are for patients with metal implants, pacemakers, or defibrillators, as these may interfere with the scan. In some cases, contrast dye (gadolinium) may be used to enhance images; this is usually safe but can cause rare allergic reactions.
Before your scan, you will complete a safety questionnaire to check for implants or other factors that might need special precautions.
Yes. A full-body MRI scan is considered very safe as it uses magnetic fields and radio waves, not harmful radiation.
It depends on the type of implant or metal. Many modern devices are safe, but older implants or certain materials may not be suitable for MRI.
Some pacemakers and defibrillators are MRI-safe, but others are not. Always check with your cardiologist and the radiology team before booking.
Usually not. Most tattoos and permanent makeup are safe for MRI, but in rare cases, they can cause mild skin irritation, heating, or tingling during the scan.
Yes, MRI scanners have size and weight limits, but most people can be scanned safely.
Children can have full-body MRI scans when medically justified, but extra preparation and support are often required.
If you’re claustrophobic, you still have safe options for an MRI. These include open MRI machines, sedation, or comfort aids to make the scan more manageable.
Results FAQs
Most private MRI and diagnostic scan results are ready within a few working days. In urgent cases, results can sometimes be fast-tracked.
Your MRI scan is reported by a consultant radiologist, a specialist doctor trained to interpret medical images. Their structured report is then shared with you (and your GP or consultant if needed) to guide the next steps in your care.
Yes. With GetScanned, both your images and your radiologist’s report are delivered securely online, giving you full digital access and the ability to share them with your GP or specialist.
Yes. You can request a second opinion on your MRI by sharing your images and report with another consultant or specialist.
If your MRI scan shows an incidental finding, the reporting radiologist will include it in the structured report and recommend whether follow-up is needed.
An MRI for back pain shows the spine, discs, nerves and soft tissues to help identify the cause of your symptoms.
MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues, while CT uses X-rays for fast imaging of bones and internal injuries.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to display moving images of organs, blood flow, and pregnancies in real-time, while MRI provides much more detailed images of soft tissues, joints, and the brain. MRI is often better when precision is needed for complex conditions.
An MRI scan of the knee shows bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues in high detail, helping to diagnose injuries, arthritis, or unexplained pain.
A shoulder MRI shows soft tissues, cartilage, and bone structures in detail, helping diagnose rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, arthritis, and unexplained pain.
A brain MRI creates detailed images of the brain to investigate causes of headaches, dizziness, or possible tumours. It’s painless, radiation-free, and the results are reviewed by a consultant radiologist.
An MRI for back pain and sciatica provides detailed images of the spine, discs, and nerves to identify causes of pain such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. It’s safe, painless, and the results are reviewed by a consultant radiologist.
A prostate MRI is usually recommended when there is concern about prostate cancer, such as raised PSA levels, abnormal examination findings, or for planning and monitoring treatment.
A breast MRI is usually recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer, or when mammogram or ultrasound findings need further clarification.
A cardiac MRI provides detailed images of the heart to help diagnose heart muscle conditions, valve problems, blood flow issues, and the effects of past heart attacks.
A cardiac MRI provides detailed images of the heart to help diagnose heart muscle conditions, valve problems, blood flow issues, and the effects of past heart attacks.
An abdominal or pelvic MRI can detect problems affecting the liver, kidneys, bowel, reproductive organs, blood vessels, and surrounding tissues, offering detailed images without radiation.
Yes, you can usually change or cancel your MRI booking, but notice periods and refund policies vary depending on the clinic.
Yes, you can book a private scan (including an MRI scan or CT scan) without a GP referral.
One of the key benefits of GetScanned is the ability to self-refer, giving you control over when and where your scan happens.
You can usually book a private MRI appointment within 24-72 hours, with next-day availability at many clinics.
Yes, you can book an MRI scan on behalf of someone else, provided you have their consent and the correct personal details.
Private MRI results are not usually shared automatically with your GP. You control whether and how your GP receives your report.
Yes, you can select both your preferred clinic and a time slot that works for you when booking your MRI online.
Most private health insurance policies cover MRI scans when they’re medically necessary, but full-body MRI scans are rarely included unless specifically justified by a doctor.
Some private MRI clinics offer discounts when scanning multiple body regions in the same appointment, or for repeat scans over time, but policies vary.
A DEXA scan measures bone density to assess your risk of osteoporosis or fractures. It shows how strong your bones are and helps diagnose conditions like low bone mass.
Clinical FAQs
A full-body MRI can help detect many cancers, but it does not identify all types with complete certainty. It is best used as part of a broader medical assessment.
Most private X-rays take 10–15 minutes from start to finish, depending on the body area being scanned.
X-rays are one of the quickest and most accessible imaging tests. When you arrive, you’ll check in, remove any jewellery or metal objects, and position yourself as directed by the radiographer.
The X-ray itself usually takes a few seconds, and the entire appointment is typically complete within 10–15 minutes. For more complex areas, such as the spine or chest, the process may take slightly longer.
You can go home or return to work immediately after your scan. Results are reviewed by a consultant radiologist and uploaded securely to your GetScanned account within 24–48 hours.