| Centre type | From-price | Referral rule | Report time | Source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital group diagnostic suite (Nuffield Health Manchester Diagnostic Suite) | £400 one part; £538 two parts; £658 three parts (guide prices) | Referral from a registered healthcare professional needed | Results within a few days | nuffieldhealth.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Hospital group hospital (Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital) | £590 one part (guide price) | Referral from a healthcare professional needed | Results to your referrer within a week | nuffieldhealth.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Hospital group (50+ hospitals) (Circle Health Group) | From £347; varies by hospital, quote may be higher | Priced on the scans requested by the professional who referred you | Same day in some cases; otherwise within one week | circlehealthgroup.co.uk | 5 October 2026 |
| Specialist orthopaedic clinic (Fortius Clinic (Marylebone, City, London)) | £950 one part (guide price, excludes consultant fees) | Referral letter may be needed; physio referral may be accepted | Not stated on the price page | fortiusclinic.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Online booking service (150+ partner centres) (Scan.com) | From £305, including a referral written by its medical team | No GP letter needed; its clinicians compile the referral | Estimated 7 to 10 working days | uk.scan.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Dedicated scanning centre group (Vista Health) | £249 off-peak; £360 standard; £380 fast track (within 7 days) | Self-referral accepted (18+) | Written report within 3 working days | vista-health.co.uk | 5 October 2026 |
- Price is per single body area. Contrast, if needed, is £125 extra.
Prices are the centres' own published figures, checked by Pete on 5 October 2026. A centre may change a price at any time; the centre's quote is what counts. We delete a row we cannot re-check. Listing a centre here does not mean it is a partner of ours. Full list on Sources.
What we can and cannot do
We are not a clinic and not the NHS. We do not scan, diagnose, refer or book a confirmed slot. We cannot tell you whether you need an MRI. If you have new weakness, numbness in the saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden severe headache, chest pain or any symptom that frightens you, call 999 or NHS 111, or see your GP, today.
What we can do: explain the price, the referral rule and the centre types in plain English, and, if you ask, pass your request to one independent scanning centre that covers your area so it can contact you. That is free for you. The centre may pay us a fee.
Four steps to a private MRI
- Body area. Name the one area to be scanned: the body area. Two areas usually cost more than one.
- Referral rule. Check whether the centre takes self-referral or wants a letter from a GP, physio or consultant. See self-referral and GP letter.
- Centre type. Dedicated scanning centre, hospital group, or open MRI. Compare the from-price, the referral rule and the report time.
- Ask one centre to contact you. Use the form. One partner centre may call or email you. Nothing is booked until you agree a time and price with them.
When do I need a GP letter for a private MRI?
You need a referral letter in four common situations:
- The centre requires one. Most hospital groups do. Nuffield Health's pages say you need a referral from a registered healthcare professional.
- You are claiming on insurance. Most insurers want a GP referral and an authorisation number before the scan.
- The scan is specialised. Pituitary, MRCP, MRA, liver, kidney and many contrast scans are usually referral only.
- You want someone to act on the result. A referrer receives the report and is responsible for the next step.
Will my NHS GP write a referral for a private MRI?
Many GPs will write a short letter for a private scan, but they do not have to, and some practices charge for private letters because it is not NHS work. A GP may also tell you that a scan is not needed, or that they would rather refer you through the NHS. Ask the practice how it handles requests for private referrals before you book an appointment for one.
If your GP refers you privately, they will usually expect to receive the report. Make sure the centre has their details.
Who else can refer me for a private MRI?
- A registered physiotherapist. Many centres accept physio referrals for joint and spine scans.
- A private GP. Several services offer remote consultations and can refer you if they think a scan is right. Vista Health listed a GP consultation option on its pages.
- A consultant, after a private outpatient appointment.
- A podiatrist, for some foot and ankle scans, depending on the centre.
- An online booking service whose clinicians write the referral, such as Scan.com.
What should a referral letter include?
The centre needs enough to choose the right scan and protocol: your name and date of birth, the body area and side, your symptoms and how long you have had them, the clinical question (for example "suspected medial meniscus tear"), any previous surgery or implants, and the referrer's registration details. A vague letter can lead to the wrong scan or a delay.
What if I already have an NHS referral for an MRI?
An NHS referral is for an NHS scan; it is not a private referral letter. If you decide to go private, ask your GP or the NHS clinician for a private referral, or use a centre that accepts self-referral. Tell your NHS team if you have a private scan, so they do not repeat it.
Do I need a GP letter for a private MRI?
Not always. Some dedicated centres accept self-referral. Most hospital groups and insurers want a referral from a GP, consultant or registered physiotherapist.
Will my GP charge for a private referral letter?
Some practices charge for private letters because it is not NHS work. Ask the practice first.
Can a physiotherapist refer me for an MRI?
Yes, at many centres, for joint and spine scans. Nuffield Health's pages list registered physiotherapists as referrers.
Want one centre to call you? Request a private MRI. Free for you; the centre may pay us.