Private MRI scans in Canterbury
Canterbury packs a lot into a small space: a cathedral city, two universities and a high-speed rail link to London, with Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham and villages like Chartham and Bridge all close by. If a stubborn knee injury, recurring back pain or unexplained headaches are getting in the way, a private MRI scan can give you detailed images of soft tissue, joints and the spine. You can book one here without a GP referral.
Canterbury private MRI scan costs
Prices for a private MRI scan start at £195, and every booking comes with a clinician consultation and a referral. Costs vary across the range of locations in the Scan.com network, so run a search to compare what the centres closest to you charge.
How do I book a private MRI scan in Canterbury?
You won't need a GP referral to get started. Type in your postcode or scroll the map on this page, then look through the centres that come up and weigh their prices against each other. Once you've picked one, fill in a short booking form with some safety questions and pay online. We manage every step after that.
Why book with us?
Scan.com is the UK's largest medical imaging network, giving you quick access to a wide variety of scans at hundreds of locations nationwide. You don't need a referral. Book online in minutes, speak to a clinician within hours and get scanned within days. There are no waiting lists, so you decide when and where your scan happens. Your results arrive digitally and are easy to share with your healthcare professional.
Preparation for MRI scans
Most MRI scans need very little preparation, although you may occasionally be asked to fast beforehand. Wear soft, comfortable clothes without metal fastenings such as buttons, toggles or zips, and be ready to change into a hospital gown if asked. Metal matters because the scanner uses strong magnets that can interact with it. For the same reason, you'll need to take off glasses, jewellery, watches and belts, and remove wallets, phones and any other personal items. If you have an implanted medical device such as a pacemaker, extra preparation may be needed for your safety. You'll be given all instructions before your scan. Scans with contrast need recent blood test results showing how well your kidneys are working. That's because your kidneys clear the gadolinium contrast agent from your body once the scan is over.
The procedure
Your scan is carried out by radiographers, who are highly trained in MRI and will talk you through the process before anything starts. You'll lie still on a flat bed that slides in and out of the doughnut-shaped scanner. Depending on the area being imaged, the scan lasts between 15 and 90 minutes. If you need contrast, it's given through an IV. The machine is noisy. You can usually listen to music, though, and the radiographers speak to you over headphones for the whole scan.
How long does it take?
Expect an MRI scan to take anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes. Where you fall in that range depends on how many areas of the body are being scanned and whether you need contrast. Your clinician and the imaging centre you choose will confirm how long yours should take.