Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Bolton
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Bolton, 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.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 792 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. 98.6% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 20.6 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 8.5 points above the North West figure of 90.1%. 1 people (0.1%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Bolton: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 98.6% | 792 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 98.0% | 929 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 97.9% | 912 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 97.9% | 778 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 98.1% | 841 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 98.6% | 870 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 98.5% | 870 | 80.0% |
How Bolton compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 98.6% | 792 | 1 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | about 12 miles | 100.0% | 2,134 | 0 |
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 32 miles | 99.5% | 665 | 2 |
| Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | about 16 miles | 99.4% | 788 | 0 |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 30 miles | 98.1% | 1,105 | 2 |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 17 miles | 96.4% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | about 8 miles | 90.7% | 7,627 | 8 |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 25 miles | 90.5% | 2,319 | 0 |
| Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | about 39 miles | 87.4% | 2,034 | 80 |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | about 10 miles | 86.8% | 7,589 | 153 |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | about 16 miles | 86.2% | 2,904 | 27 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salford | 8 miles | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 90.7% | 7,627 |
| Manchester | 10 miles | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 86.8% | 7,589 |
| Blackburn | 12 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| St Helens | 16 miles | Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 86.2% | 2,904 |
| Stockport | 16 miles | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 99.4% | 788 |
| Burnley | 16 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| Preston | 17 miles | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 96.4% | 1,326 |
| Liverpool | 25 miles | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 90.5% | 2,319 |
More for Bolton: 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 Bolton?
At the end of August 2026, 98.6% of the 792 people waiting at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 1 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Bolton getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust was 98.5% in February 2026 and 98.6% in August 2026, up 0.1 points.
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.