Home / Private MRI scan London
Private MRI scan in London
A specialist private MRI centre in the Harley Street Health District. 3T Siemens scanner, no referral needed, consultant radiologist report.
Prime Health's London MRI centre is at 45 Queen Anne Street, in the heart of the Harley Street Medical District, a two-minute walk from Bond Street tube. We run a 3T Siemens MRI scanner , the highest clinical field strength routinely used in the UK, open six days a week, from 8am to 8pm, with consultant radiologist reporting on every scan. No referral is required for an MRI.
Why patients choose our London MRI centre
The Harley Street Health District is where a lot of London's private diagnostics is done, and there is choice, which is a good thing. What is specific to Prime Health at Queen Anne Street:
- A specialist MRI centre, not a general imaging department. Everything at Queen Anne Street is pointed at one modality, so the equipment, the radiographers and the reporting are all optimised for MRI rather than divided across CT, X-ray and everything else.
- A 3T Siemens scanner. Higher field strength gives finer detail, particularly on musculoskeletal, neurological and complex soft-tissue work, and shorter scan times for the patient.
- Six days a week, 8am to 8pm. Evening and Saturday slots mean an MRI does not have to cost you a day off work.
- Consultant radiologist reporting on every scan. Never a technician-only read.
- Efficient turnaround. Reports are returned quickly, and, with your consent, shared with your referring clinician and your own GP.
- From 23 September 2026, advanced neurological imaging. DSC perfusion, MR spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging, a capability few private centres in London offer.
What can an MRI show?
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves rather than radiation. That makes it the first-choice scan for a wide range of clinical questions:
- Musculoskeletal, knees, shoulders, hips, spine and the smaller joints and soft tissues.
- Neurological, brain, cervical and lumbar spine, cranial nerves.
- Abdominal and pelvic, liver, kidneys, prostate, pelvic organs.
- Cardiac and vascular where indicated.
Where an ultrasound or X-ray would answer your question better, or with less inconvenience, we will tell you honestly. If you are not sure which scan you need, our London private GP service can work it out with you first.
How the London appointment works
You arrive at 45 Queen Anne Street ten minutes before your slot. Our reception team completes the safety questionnaire (any implants, previous surgery, pacemaker, cochlear implant, and so on) and shows you to a private changing area. The scan itself typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the area being examined. Contrast, if clinically needed, is administered before or during the scan by our radiographer.
You leave with an idea of when your report will be ready. A consultant radiologist reports the images within a short turnaround, and, with your consent, the report reaches your referring clinician and your own GP.
Do I need a referral?
No. MRI does not use radiation, so it does not need to be requested by an entitled referrer by law. Many of our patients self-refer.
If you would like a clinician to work out which scan is right for you first, our private GP service in London can see you for a consultation. That is often useful where the symptom is non-specific ("my knee is hurting", "I get headaches") and choosing the right test up front avoids paying for the wrong one.
MRI safety
MRI is safe for the vast majority of patients, but not all. Please tell us at booking if you have any of the following, so we can assess your safety to be scanned:
- A cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or neurostimulator.
- A cochlear implant.
- Surgical clips or metallic foreign bodies, particularly in or near the eye or brain.
- Any implanted device, pumps, ports, replacement joints.
- Pregnancy, or the possibility of being pregnant.
- Severe claustrophobia (please tell us and we will plan for it).
Cost of a private MRI in London
MRI is priced by the body part being examined and whether contrast is needed. Because we set prices at each centre, the current London price list, including any add-ons, is on the Harley Street centre page. For a specific quote for the scan you need, call us on 0330 025 2100 and we will confirm before you book.
We accept self-pay and private medical insurance. For insured patients, bring your policy number and pre-authorisation, we bill the insurer directly. See our terms of business and how to pay pages.
Getting to us
By tube: Bond Street is two minutes on foot (Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth). Oxford Circus is five minutes (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria). Regent's Park is ten minutes (Bakerloo).
By bus: multiple routes run along Oxford Street, Wigmore Street and Marylebone Road.
By car: nearest paid parking at NCP Cavendish Square (a short walk south) and Q-Park Harley Street. The Congestion Charge Zone applies, the centre falls inside it.
By train: Marylebone (10 min walk), Paddington (Elizabeth line to Bond Street, then 2 min), Kings Cross St Pancras (Victoria line to Oxford Circus, then 5 min).
Frequently asked questions
Questions patients most often ask us about a private MRI in London.
Where in London is your MRI scanner?
Our London MRI centre is at 45 Queen Anne Street, in the Harley Street Health District, London W1G 9JF. It is a two-minute walk from Bond Street tube (Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth), five minutes from Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria), and ten minutes from Regent's Park (Bakerloo).
How much does a private MRI scan cost in London?
Prices vary depending on the body part being scanned and whether contrast is needed. Because prices are set at each centre, the current Harley Street price list is on the centre page. Call us on 0330 025 2100 for a specific quote before booking.
Do I need a referral for a private MRI in London?
No, MRI does not use radiation, so a referral is not required by law. Many patients self-refer. If you would prefer a GP to work out which scan is right first, our London private GP service can see you before your scan.
What kind of scanner do you use in London?
The Harley Street centre runs a 3T Siemens MRI scanner, the highest clinical field strength routinely used in the UK. From 23 September 2026 the centre also offers advanced neurological imaging including DSC perfusion, MR spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging.
How quickly can I be seen for an MRI in central London?
The centre is open six days a week (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm), and we can usually offer an appointment within a few days, often the same week. For time-sensitive requests, call us directly on 0330 025 2100.
Who reports the scan?
Every MRI at Prime Health is reported by a consultant radiologist. Reports are returned efficiently, and, with your consent, shared with your referring clinician and your own GP so your care continues joined up.
Can I bring my own referral from a private consultant or another provider?
Yes. Bring the letter (paper or email is fine) and we will scan you against that request. If any clarification is needed, our team will contact the referrer before your appointment.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. Bring your policy number and pre-authorisation and we will bill your insurer directly. Anything not covered by your policy, excesses, shortfalls or services outside its terms, remains payable by you. If your insurer has not authorised the scan yet, we can help.
What if I have claustrophobia?
Please tell us at booking. We use a modern wide-bore 3T scanner which is more comfortable than older models, and our radiographers can walk you through what to expect. Where needed, we can also arrange an appointment at our Brighton centre, which uses a 1.5T scanner with a shorter tunnel.
Is parking available near the London centre?
The Harley Street Health District has nearby paid parking; the closest options are the NCP on Cavendish Square and Q-Park on Harley Street. Many patients travel by tube, taxi or on foot. The centre itself does not have on-site parking.
Related at Prime Health
Other things you might want at the same visit.
Harley Street centre
Address, opening hours, full price list, on-site services, consultants and clinics at our London centre.
Private MRI, technical detail
What MRI is, how it works, safety information and everything the London-specific page above does not cover.
Private GP, London
Not sure which scan you need? A GP works it out with you. Same-day appointments where available.
Consultants at Harley Street
The consultants who see patients at our London centre, across radiology, orthopaedics, sports medicine and more.