| Centre type | From-price | Referral rule | Report time | Source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Dedicated scanning centre group: prostate MRI (Vista Health) | £395 bi-parametric (no contrast); £650 multi-parametric (with contrast); £695 with PSA test | Self-referral accepted (18+) | Report and images within 3 working days | vista-health.co.uk | 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 |
| 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 |
- Price is per single body area. Contrast, if needed, is £125 extra.
- On the same date Vista's general MRI price list showed £495 bi-parametric and £595 multi-parametric. Ask the centre which price applies.
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.
What does self-referral for an MRI mean?
Self-referral means you ask for the scan yourself, without a letter from a GP, physiotherapist or consultant. You are still checked. The centre asks you to fill in a clinical questionnaire about your symptoms and a safety questionnaire about metal and implants. A radiographer or doctor at the centre reviews it and decides whether to go ahead. Reputable centres have a qualified person check every request before they scan. With self-referral, the centre takes on that check instead of your GP.
That means a centre can say no. It may decline if the scan is unlikely to answer your question, if a different test would be better, or if your symptoms need urgent assessment instead.
Which scans can I usually refer myself for?
Single-area musculoskeletal and spine scans are the most commonly offered: knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, lumbar spine and similar. Vista Health's pages also offered self-referral for head, prostate, cardiac and full-body scans for adults. Scans that need contrast often go through an enquiry or review step first.
Scans that are usually by referral only include pituitary, MRCP, MRA, liver and kidney, because the protocol depends on the clinical question and the result needs a specialist.
What about online booking services?
Some services do not need a GP letter because their own clinicians write the referral. Scan.com, for example, said on 5 October 2026 that its medical team contacts you after booking and compiles a referral for the scanning site, with prices from £305. That is a referral, written by them rather than your GP.
Do hospital groups accept self-referral?
Mostly not. Nuffield Health's MRI pages said you need a referral from a registered healthcare professional, such as a GP, consultant or physiotherapist. Circle Health Group's price page described prices for scans requested by the healthcare professional who referred you. A hospital can usually arrange a private consultant appointment first, which then gives you a referral, at extra cost.
Is self-referral a good idea?
It saves time and a GP appointment. It also has limits. You still need someone to explain the report and decide on treatment. If you self-refer, think now about who that will be: your GP, a physio, a private GP or a consultant. Some centres send the report to your GP if you agree; ask.
Self-referral is also not a way round urgent care. Sudden severe headache, new weakness, chest pain, numbness around the genitals or back passage, or loss of bladder or bowel control need 999, NHS 111 or A&E.
Will my insurer accept a self-referral?
Usually not. Most insurers want a GP referral and an authorisation number before the scan. If you are insured, call your insurer first. See insured or self-pay and GP letter.
Can I book a private MRI without seeing a GP?
Yes, at centres that accept self-referral, such as Vista Health for many single-area scans. Hospital groups usually want a referral.
Can a centre refuse my self-referral?
Yes. A qualified person at the centre checks each request and may decline if the scan is unlikely to help or a different test is better.
Does a physio referral count?
Many centres accept a referral from a registered physiotherapist. Nuffield Health's pages say so. Ask the centre.
Will my insurer pay for a self-referred MRI?
Usually not. Most insurers want a GP referral and authorisation before the scan. Ask your insurer first.
Want one centre to call you? Request a private MRI. Free for you; the centre may pay us.