Private MRI scans in Belfast
From students around Queen's to commuters coming in from Lisburn, Bangor and Newtownabbey, lots of people across Greater Belfast need quick answers about a health concern. A private MRI scan can help. It creates clear images of muscles, tendons, the brain and the spinal cord, which makes it useful for sports injuries and symptoms that won't go away. With the Glider, rail links and the M1 and M2, there are plenty of ways to get to an appointment.
Belfast private MRI scan costs
Private MRI prices start from £360 in Belfast. Whatever you choose, the price covers a consultation with one of our clinicians and a referral. A quick search shows how prices compare at centres nearby.
How do I book a private MRI scan in Belfast?
Search using your postcode, or drag around the map until you find a centre that suits. Check what each one charges and make your choice. Your GP doesn't need to be involved. Fill in our short booking and safety form, then pay to secure the scan. We'll handle the rest.
Why book with us?
With hundreds of locations nationwide, Scan.com is the largest medical imaging network in the UK. You can get a scan without a referral. Book online in a matter of minutes, and a clinician will be in touch within hours, with your scan following within days. We have no waiting lists, so when and where you're scanned is up to you. Your results are digital, which means you can share them with your healthcare professional.
Preparation for MRI scans
You won't usually have much to prepare. Now and then, a scan requires you to fast beforehand. Dress comfortably in loose clothing and avoid anything with metal fastenings, including buttons, toggles and zips. A hospital gown may be provided for you to change into. Because the magnets in an MRI scanner are strong enough to interact with metal, glasses, jewellery, watches, belts, wallets, phones and other personal items all need to be removed. People with an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker, may need additional steps for safety. Before your scan, we'll provide all the instructions you need. Scans with contrast also need recent blood test results that show your kidney function. This is needed because the gadolinium contrast agent is cleared from your body by your kidneys afterwards.
The procedure
Your scan will be performed by a radiographer, a highly trained specialist who runs through what happens before starting. Lying still on a flat bed, you'll move into the doughnut-shaped scanner. The scan itself lasts 15 to 90 minutes, and the area being scanned decides how long. If contrast is required, you'll receive it through an IV. It's a noisy process. That said, music is usually on offer for you to listen to, and the radiographers talk to you through headphones from start to finish.
How long does it take?
The length of an MRI scan ranges from 15 to 90 minutes. It varies with the number of body areas being scanned and whether you need contrast. Your clinician and the imaging centre you pick will confirm the expected time for yours.