Private MRI scans in Guildford
Months of shoulder pain, a sports injury that won't settle, or dizzy spells nobody has explained yet. A private MRI scan gives detailed pictures of muscles, tendons, the brain and nerves. Guildford sits where the River Wey cuts through the North Downs, a busy Surrey town shaped by University of Surrey students and commuters using the A3 and the trains to London Waterloo. Whether home is Merrow, Burpham, Godalming or Cranleigh, you can book online with no GP referral.
Guildford private MRI scan costs
Private MRI prices start from £195. A clinician consultation and a referral come as part of every package. What you pay depends on the centre you pick, and the Scan.com network offers a range of locations, so a quick search will show you prices at the ones nearest your postcode.
How do I book a private MRI scan in Guildford?
Booking takes a few minutes. Start by entering your postcode, or browse the map if you'd rather, and compare the centres and prices that appear. Choose one, answer the safety questions on our quick booking form, then pay. We arrange everything else from there. At no point do you need a GP referral.
Why book with us?
As the UK's largest medical imaging network, Scan.com offers fast, straightforward access to many types of scan at hundreds of locations across the country, and no referral is required. You can book online in minutes and speak to a clinician within hours. Your scan follows within days. Without waiting lists, the choice of when and where is yours. Results come to you digitally, ready to share with your healthcare professional.
Preparation for MRI scans
Preparation for an MRI scan is usually minimal. Occasionally you'll be asked not to eat or drink for a while beforehand. Choose comfortable clothing with no metal fastenings, so avoid buttons, toggles and zips, and bear in mind you may need to change into a gown. The scanner's powerful magnets interact with metal, which is why glasses, jewellery, watches, belts, wallets, phones and other personal items must be removed before you go in. Anyone with an implanted device, such as a pacemaker, may need additional preparation to stay safe. We'll give you full instructions ahead of your appointment, so nothing comes as a surprise on the day. If your scan uses contrast, you'll need recent blood test results that show your kidney function, since the kidneys are responsible for clearing the gadolinium contrast agent afterwards.
The procedure
Trained radiographers perform MRI scans, and before anything begins they'll explain each stage to you. Once you're lying still on a flat bed, it moves into the doughnut-shaped scanner. Scans run from 15 to 90 minutes, with the area being examined setting the length. Contrast, when needed, goes in through an IV. Expect plenty of noise from the machine. You can usually listen to music, and the radiographers keep talking to you through headphones for as long as the scan runs.
How long does it take?
Most of the variation comes down to two things: the number of body areas being scanned and whether contrast is used. That puts an MRI scan anywhere between 15 and 90 minutes. Your clinician and chosen imaging centre will let you know how long to allow for yours.