Private MRI scans - anyone had one?

We’ve used a private one one in Cheltenham, called Cobalt, I don’t know where you are though.
You will need a Doctors letter to get a private scan, the results will be sent to you and your Doctor.

A friend of mine had one and was given the disc with the results which she could show her doctor. She lives in Cambridge but had to travel to London. I am not sure which company she used. How scary for your friend.

I have had a scan at the University here before now, or maybe a cancellation will come up. I hope your friend gets one soon.

Thank you for the replies.

Did you pay at the University dragonfly?

Were you referred or did you arrange it yourself?

A referral isn't a problem - it was her consultant's idea.

No I was referred by my GP. Later my consultant said she didn’t know GPs could refer you for a scan.

I’ve used Vista. Service was excellent and my GP was sent a copy of the results as well as an email to me.

What is the cost of a private MRI scan?. A routine X-ray is over £200.

I've had a private MRI at a scanning centre. Like others had a written report, copied to GP and a disc copy of findings that could be shown to medical personnel. A gp could and did refer me as I was paying. He did ask which centre I wanted to go to and told me the options. He was unable to refer for NHS scan. He could only refer onto a "pathway" which would involve a waiting list of over 12 months.

I had one at a Spire hospital. My son arranged it, not my GP. I took the results disk to my doctor. I think it cost £800 for my back but smaller areas should be cheaper.

For the best results she needs to find a hospital with a 3-Tesla MRI scanner. It is the most advanced. There's no point getting an inferior one which needs to be done again. London has several and other places do too.

We have 4 private hospitals within striking distance who all have equally long waiting lists - presumably because everyone else is opting to pay if they can afford to.

Thank you for the posts so far.

My old school friend paid for a private MRI because her GP said “we don’t need to go down that route” when she asked for one. She had had dreadful pains in her neck and arms. She could not move her arms at all. They just would not listen to her. She even burnt her arms with hot water bottles trying to alleviate the pain.
Her husband booked it for a Sunday afternoon and by the next day she sadly had a diagnosis of cancer in her spine, neck and shoulders. She passed away less than 3 months later.
The GP is still working and as arrogant as ever.

That is terrible Primrose. Her so called doctor should be ashamed and preferably sacked.

A friend paid for a private MRI scan of her spine in a local hospital. She got the results within 24 hours and shared them with her GP. The scan cost her around £300.

My GP couldn’t diagnose me and I was in so much pain I paid for one locally via scan.com. I had the results in days and also had a diagnosis. Again between 300-400 for one body area.

I was referred by a physio ,NHS.

Should have added (apologies just thought) … the diagnosis came from the Consultant Radiologist who reviewed the private mri as part of the package.

You also get given the MRI on disc format. You can then take it to a consultant.

* get given !!
That's poor English. Sorry, I've been travelling since 6 am, need a great for some good coffee.
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Break grrrr!

Not your day Joseann!'😁

NHS in NI is using Alliance Medical. They were both professional and reassuring. Their prices compared very well with other private companies.
I would use them if I was paying.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast. Took 3 weeks and cost £450.
If it takes you near a month and NHS is free in a month...... Many private scans are also taking a month .

My daughter had a private mri scan done at a local centre . She was referred by her physio