| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Cambridge Hospital) | £620 one part (guide price) | Referral from a healthcare professional needed | Results to your referrer within a week | nuffieldhealth.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Specialist orthopaedic clinic (Fortius Clinic Wimbledon) | £735 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 |
- 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: shoulder. 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.
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What does a shoulder MRI show?
A shoulder MRI shows the rotator cuff (the four tendons and muscles that hold the ball of the upper arm in its socket), the labrum (the rim of cartilage around the socket), the biceps tendon, the joint lining, the bursa under the bony point of the shoulder and the bones themselves. It is the usual scan for checking a suspected rotator cuff tear, a labral tear after a dislocation, and problems that have not settled with treatment.
Ultrasound is often used for the rotator cuff too. It is cheaper and quicker, and in skilled hands it shows many tendon tears well. MRI shows more of the deep joint, the labrum and the bone. Some specialists ask for an MR arthrogram, where contrast is injected into the joint first; that is a different, consultant-led procedure.
Do I need a referral for a private shoulder MRI?
Some dedicated centres accept self-referral for a shoulder. Vista Health's shoulder page says scans start from £249 and offers a self-referral route for adults. You answer safety and clinical questions, and the centre decides whether to scan.
Hospital groups usually want a referral from a GP, consultant or registered physiotherapist. A physio who has examined your shoulder can often tell you whether an MRI, an ultrasound or neither is the better next step. If you are insured, ask your insurer first. See self-referral and insured or self-pay.
How much does a private shoulder MRI cost?
On 5 October 2026 the lowest published single-area price was £249 off-peak at Vista Health, with £360 standard and £380 fast track. Hospital guide prices for one part ranged from £400 to £620 at the Nuffield Health sites we checked. Fortius Clinic Wimbledon listed £735 for one part before consultant fees. Both shoulders count as two areas.
What happens during a shoulder MRI?
You lie on your back with the arm by your side, and a coil sits over the shoulder. Your head and upper body go into the scanner, so tell the centre if you are anxious in enclosed spaces. The scan usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Lying still with a painful shoulder can be hard; take your usual pain relief and ask for padding. If you cannot lie still, the images may blur and the scan may need repeating.
Should I have an MRI or an ultrasound for my shoulder?
Ask the person treating you. For a likely rotator cuff problem, ultrasound is often enough and may be offered at the same appointment as an injection. For a shoulder that has dislocated, a suspected labral tear, or pain without a clear cause, MRI usually gives more information. A scan only helps if its result will change what you do next.
What should I check before booking a shoulder MRI?
- Is the price for one shoulder, with the radiologist's report included?
- Self-referral, or do you need a letter?
- Do you need an MR arthrogram instead? That is a separate procedure.
- How long until the report, and can you download the images?
Private shoulder MRI by city
City pages are work in progress and are not yet indexed. They show what we checked locally: London · Birmingham · Manchester · Leeds · Liverpool · Sheffield · Bristol · Newcastle · Nottingham · Leicester · Southampton · Brighton · Cambridge · Oxford · Reading. See all cities.
Can I get a private shoulder MRI without a GP?
Yes, at some dedicated centres that accept self-referral, such as Vista Health. Hospital groups usually want a referral from a GP, consultant or physiotherapist.
How much is a private shoulder MRI?
On 5 October 2026, from £249 off-peak at a dedicated centre, and £400 to £620 for one part at the hospital sites we checked.
Is ultrasound or MRI better for a shoulder?
It depends on the problem. Ultrasound often suits rotator cuff tendons; MRI shows the labrum, deep joint and bone in more detail. Ask the clinician treating you.
Want one centre to call you? Request a private MRI. Free for you; the centre may pay us.