Private MRI scan
Discussion
My GP has referred me for an MRI on both knees. I'm looking to book a private scan.
I've had MRI's before so I know what they involve but does anyone have anything to add in regard to getting a private MRI but getting results sent to their GP and getting NHS treatment.
Also any information comparing getting the scan in a private hospital or in a mobile unit belonging to a private health company.
I've had MRI's before so I know what they involve but does anyone have anything to add in regard to getting a private MRI but getting results sent to their GP and getting NHS treatment.
Also any information comparing getting the scan in a private hospital or in a mobile unit belonging to a private health company.
I recommend patients for private MRIs regularly. The companies I use typically give the patient a copy of the disc and they send me a copy of the report, which I can then interpret myself or forward to the GP. If it's something that needs an ortho referral the GP will refer based on the report, which saves the NHS waiting times.
Prices vary massively. I avoid Spire because they're often around £500 per scan, I use either Alliance Medical or Vista Diagnostics, which are nearer half the price. But I'm not sure how many units they have nationally.
Prices vary massively. I avoid Spire because they're often around £500 per scan, I use either Alliance Medical or Vista Diagnostics, which are nearer half the price. But I'm not sure how many units they have nationally.
Interesting. About 20 yrs ago I had lower disc trouble, that bad I was virtually immobile. My NHS hospital surgeon/consultant suggested an MRI scan (just along the corridor in the hospital we were in, however it was a 3 month waiting list or... pay 500 quid and I could have a scan within a week.
I'm no fool, I'd done my own research and found there were mobile scanner units in action all around the south - Midlands to Oxfordshire to Glos, cost was one price, £199, all in.
Consultant seemed to be caught off guard, and simply said, 'Oh, ok, I'll book you in.'
I had my scan within days - my wife drove me there as I couldn't push the clutch down, let alone brake if I'd needed!
What was interesting was there were patients from all over waiting (paying) for their scan. Even from Europe, a young French man who'd injured his back in a cycle race.
Scanner was parked up in the grounds of Cheltenham Hospital (30 odd miles from home). Was called Colbalt Imaging - can't recall them being a charity then, but I just checked now and that's how they are listed, also listed on NHS website.
Consultant had scans within 48 hrs (he handed them over to me as I'd paid for them). I avoided surgery by lots of walking. Initially, it was taking me 3 hrs to struggle 3 miles, the pain was that intense. But in the long run it was worth it. On my final consultation I still recall being in pain but looked at a couple guys half my age in the waiting area both racked with severe low back disc troubles, and thought my god, that's how bad I was! I realised at that point how far I'd progressed. Surgeon was great, he said surgery should always be a last resort in this area, and decided we should leave it at that, however, should I not be able to cope, he'd keep the door open for me. I didn't go back. I get the odd bit of sciatica, but I can deal with it easily, roll ups, touch toes, and most important, keep walking!!
I'm no fool, I'd done my own research and found there were mobile scanner units in action all around the south - Midlands to Oxfordshire to Glos, cost was one price, £199, all in.
Consultant seemed to be caught off guard, and simply said, 'Oh, ok, I'll book you in.'
I had my scan within days - my wife drove me there as I couldn't push the clutch down, let alone brake if I'd needed!
What was interesting was there were patients from all over waiting (paying) for their scan. Even from Europe, a young French man who'd injured his back in a cycle race.
Scanner was parked up in the grounds of Cheltenham Hospital (30 odd miles from home). Was called Colbalt Imaging - can't recall them being a charity then, but I just checked now and that's how they are listed, also listed on NHS website.
Consultant had scans within 48 hrs (he handed them over to me as I'd paid for them). I avoided surgery by lots of walking. Initially, it was taking me 3 hrs to struggle 3 miles, the pain was that intense. But in the long run it was worth it. On my final consultation I still recall being in pain but looked at a couple guys half my age in the waiting area both racked with severe low back disc troubles, and thought my god, that's how bad I was! I realised at that point how far I'd progressed. Surgeon was great, he said surgery should always be a last resort in this area, and decided we should leave it at that, however, should I not be able to cope, he'd keep the door open for me. I didn't go back. I get the odd bit of sciatica, but I can deal with it easily, roll ups, touch toes, and most important, keep walking!!
Used the London Imaging Centre or Oryon imaging as they’re now known - on wimpole street in London.
Depending on when you book their scans start at £200.
Managed to get a same day, midweek scan done on lower back very easily.
Came away with a DVD which our consultant could access on his own computer.
Good set up, nice environment and a good experience all round.
Depending on when you book their scans start at £200.
Managed to get a same day, midweek scan done on lower back very easily.
Came away with a DVD which our consultant could access on his own computer.
Good set up, nice environment and a good experience all round.
I had a private MRI on my lower back a few years back. Basically had to fill in a form, DVD within a week and then they sent out the password a few days later. All readable and easier to make copies for my solicitor.
Compare that to getting them from the NHS, fill in form and send it to medical legal. Then wait three weeks, wait another three weeks. Then they encrypt the disk but forgot the password. So wait another few weeks and they send out the disc with no password. Then when I get the password I find the images can only be viewed on medical software costing £250/year so I ask for hard copies. That can't be done unfortunately.
So I ask how I can view the images without spending £250 and how my solicitor can get copies too for the legal case.
Not their problem apparently. The difference between private and NHS during and post Covid is incredible. NHS are still using Covid as an excuse for incompetence. Private hospitals are run as businesses so pissing about has financial consequences unfortunately accountability in the NHS is almost non existent.
Compare that to getting them from the NHS, fill in form and send it to medical legal. Then wait three weeks, wait another three weeks. Then they encrypt the disk but forgot the password. So wait another few weeks and they send out the disc with no password. Then when I get the password I find the images can only be viewed on medical software costing £250/year so I ask for hard copies. That can't be done unfortunately.
So I ask how I can view the images without spending £250 and how my solicitor can get copies too for the legal case.
Not their problem apparently. The difference between private and NHS during and post Covid is incredible. NHS are still using Covid as an excuse for incompetence. Private hospitals are run as businesses so pissing about has financial consequences unfortunately accountability in the NHS is almost non existent.
Edited by sutoka on Thursday 31st March 01:21
mikemmw said:
Also any information comparing getting the scan in a private hospital or in a mobile unit belonging to a private health company.
Doesn't really matter for a knee scan. Mobile units break down more regularly and use lower spec machines but for a knee scan the images are still acceptable. Private hospitals will fall into two categories:
1) buy the best machine with all the whistles and bells and charge a premium for something you don't need for a basic scan
2) buy the cheapest machine and aim to make as much money out of it as possible, spend most of their time scanning NHS patients, and send patients elsewhere for more complicated stuff
Another Cheltenham / Cobalt imaging client here although the scanner was in a private hospital when I went and they were a charity. Same ailment, knackered lower disc… paid a few hundred quid and got my DVD as I left… great fun running up and down the insides of your back 
Place was recommended by my osteopath… GP was useless!
Place was recommended by my osteopath… GP was useless!
I had one during the first lockdown at Somerset MRI in Bridgewater. NHS was useless, as usual.
£300 iirc. Including a dvd of the imagine and a write up of the findings by a doc.
It was the decision maker between going for back surgery or months of intensive physio/rehab, I went for the latter and have thankfully made a 99% recovery.
£300 iirc. Including a dvd of the imagine and a write up of the findings by a doc.
It was the decision maker between going for back surgery or months of intensive physio/rehab, I went for the latter and have thankfully made a 99% recovery.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff