MRI Scans

An MRI scan allows medical professionals to study the inside of your body, and provide diagnoses and treatment plans where required.

Our expert clinical team, led by consultant radiologist Dr Khalid Latief (BMSc, MBChB, FRCP, FRCR) will take the time to speak to you 1-1, to understand your medical needs, and ensure you receive the right diagnostic scan quickly and efficiently.

After your MRI scan, a radiologist will examine your images, and compile a report of their findings.

The radiologist will then send your results to our clinical team, which can take up to a week. They will check your results, and email a copy to you.

If anything adverse is noted in your report, your clinician will provide a post-scan consultation call to explain the results and next steps.

MRI scans are performed by radiographers, who are highly trained specialists. They will explain the procedure beforehand, but will leave the room and speak to you via headphones during the scan. The scanner is noisy, so you will usually be able to listen to music to help you relax.

You will need to lie very still on a motorised flat bed, which moves in and out of the scanner. MRI scans take between 15-90 minutes, depending on area being scanned. Some scans require contrast material to help generate more defined images. This will usually be administered by IV.

MRI scans have a wide range of uses and applications. Along with general body imaging, we offer some specialist scans, including prostate multi parametric (MPM) for detailed prostate imaging, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) for blood vessel imaging, and cardiac MRIs for scanning the heart.

There are also different types of MRI scanners. The most common type is cylindrical shaped, also known as closed-bore. Claustrophobic patients or those with reduced mobility might opt for an open or upright scanner. MRI machines also differ in magnet strength (1.5T or 3T). In most cases, 1.5T is a suitable option.

MRI scans are safe and non-invasive, and preparations are minimal. We will let you know ahead of time if you need to do anything in particular, like avoiding eating or drinking beforehand. You might also need to complete medical history and consent forms at your scanning centre.

The scanner's strong magnets can interact with metal objects, so we recommend wearing soft, comfortable clothing with no metal fastenings. You will be asked to remove glasses, belts, watches, jewellery, dentures and hearing aids. You might be asked to change into a medical gown.