Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Blackburn
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Blackburn, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of organs, joints, the brain and spine. It does not use X-rays.
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 2,134 people were waiting for an MRI scan at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. 100.0% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 22.0 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 9.9 points above the North West figure of 90.1%. 0 people (0.0%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
East Lancashire Hospitals: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 100.0% | 2,134 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 99.6% | 2,308 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 95.9% | 2,240 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 98.4% | 2,231 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 83.0% | 2,477 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 92.3% | 1,960 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 100.0% | 2,399 | 80.0% |
How Blackburn compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 | 0 |
| North West region | 90.1% | 43,852 | 543 |
| England | 78.0% | 357,356 | 16,345 |
Nearby hospital trusts for MRI scans
Trusts serving neighbouring towns, ordered by the share of their list waiting under 6 weeks. In England you can usually ask your GP which hospitals you could be referred to; waiting lists change from month to month.
| Trust | Distance (town) | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 30 miles | 99.5% | 665 | 2 |
| Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | about 27 miles | 99.4% | 788 | 0 |
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | about 12 miles | 98.6% | 792 | 1 |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 98.1% | 1,105 | 2 |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 9 miles | 96.4% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | about 38 miles | 90.8% | 3,954 | 65 |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | about 20 miles | 90.7% | 7,627 | 8 |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 31 miles | 90.5% | 2,319 | 0 |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | about 21 miles | 86.8% | 7,589 | 153 |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | about 23 miles | 86.2% | 2,904 | 27 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | 9 miles | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 96.4% | 1,326 |
| Burnley | 10 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| Bolton | 12 miles | Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 98.6% | 792 |
| Salford | 20 miles | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 90.7% | 7,627 |
| Manchester | 21 miles | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 86.8% | 7,589 |
| St Helens | 23 miles | Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 86.2% | 2,904 |
| Stockport | 27 miles | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 99.4% | 788 |
| Bradford | 30 miles | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 99.5% | 665 |
More for Blackburn: all waiting times · A&E · CT · Ultrasound · Endoscopy. National picture: MRI waiting times in England.
Understanding the 6-week figure
NHS England counts everyone on the waiting list for a test at the end of each month and how many weeks they have waited since referral. The standard is that fewer than 1% of patients wait 6 weeks or more. Urgent referrals, including suspected cancer, are usually prioritised, so routine waits can be longer than the average suggests. If your wait is much longer than you were told, contact the hospital’s booking team or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an MRI scan in Blackburn?
At the end of August 2026, 100.0% of the 2,134 people waiting at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 0 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Blackburn getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was 100.0% in February 2026 and 100.0% in August 2026, unchanged.
Can I have my MRI somewhere else?
In England you can usually discuss with your GP or the referring clinician which hospitals or community diagnostic centres you could be referred to. Waiting times at nearby trusts are listed on this page as a starting point.
How often are these figures updated?
NHS England publishes A&E, diagnostics (DM01) and referral to treatment (RTT) statistics every month, usually on the second Thursday. A&E figures cover the previous month; diagnostics and RTT figures are a month further behind. This site refreshes when new files are published.