Frequently asked questions

If you have an appointment for a private Ultrasound Guided Injection at our centres in Surrey, Harley Street or Manchester, you can view and download a copy of our patient leaflet here.

If you have an appointment for a private MRI scan at our centres in Surrey, Harley Street or Manchester, you can view and download a copy of our patient leaflet here.

Yes, PSA levels can be high without it being prostate cancer. The following factors may affect your PSA level:

• Your age
• An infection in the prostate, such as a urinary infection or prostatitis
• An enlarged prostate, sometimes called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
• A recent prostate biopsy
• Prostate stimulation including ejaculation
• Vigorous exercise (such as cycling) in the days prior to testing

At Prime Health we offer MRI Prostate Health Checks for men wishing to take control of their prostate health.For men over the age of 50 years, with a normal PSA score:If you want a safe, swift, and accurate health check of your prostate, with no need for a GP referral, this is the service for you.If you have a normal PSA, this short MRI scan can detect any abnormalities or issues that need further investigation.For men with a raised PSA score or a GP/consultant referral letter:If you have a raised PSA level or already have a GP or consultant referral letter but are faced with a waiting list, we offer rapid access to a state-of-the-art MRI scan for a fast and accurate diagnosis.For more information about Prostate Cancer, visit the Prostate Cancer UK website.

We try to ensure your appointment fits in with what is convenient for you. Often we can make appointments for the next day and sometimes for the same day. Our aim is to provide everything you need, under one roof so that you can access the care you need in as few visits as possible. Some of our specialists have weekly clinics, and so how long you wait may be dependent on this.

Yes, subject to infection control restrictions you can bring a friend or relative to your CT scan. However, for safety reasons they won’t be able to accompany you into the CT scanner unit unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Absolutely. If you are a UK citizen, NHS treatment will always be available to you. We will give you access to information about any tests, scans or treatments you have with us, which can be shared with your NHS GP or healthcare professional.

You can refer yourself for many of the services we offer. In some cases, your GP or healthcare professional will need to refer you – for example for a diagnostic scan. If you are having trouble getting a referral, please let us know – we may well be able to help.

There are some CT examinations which do require preparation and this will be confirmed at the time of scheduling your appointment and in your confirmation letter.Unless you have been told otherwise, you can eat and drink normally before and afterwards.

CT scanning uses x-rays to produce images. Patients are often worried about being exposed to radiation. However, it is important to put any risks into perspective, the risk to your health of not having the required examination is likely to be greater than any risk from the radiation itself.If you are, or might be pregnant, you must make sure the clinician referring you or a member of the CT team know as soon as possible. CT scans are not performed during pregnancy unless there are special circumstances.Before your appointment is scheduled, we will have asked you a number of questions to ensure it is safe for you to have your scan.

There are no side effects from the CT scan itself, although it does use several times more radiation than a typical X-ray; equivalent to what you might be exposed to naturally over a three-to-four-year period.If you have an injection of contrast, you may have some side effects which might include a skin rash, dizziness, a headache and nausea. The CT team will discuss this with you and will answer any questions you may have before the injection.