Waiting Times UK

Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026

MRI waiting times in Bridgwater

How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Bridgwater, 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.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

86.0%waiting under 6 weeks
2,004people on the MRI waiting list
280waiting 6 weeks or more
39waiting 13 weeks or more

At the end of August 2026, 2,004 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. 86.0% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 8.0 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 1.9 points above the South West figure of 84.1%. 39 people (1.9%) had waited 13 weeks or more.

How long people on the list had waited

0–1 weeks399
1–2 weeks397
2–3 weeks289
3–4 weeks252
4–5 weeks204
5–6 weeks183
6–7 weeks79
7–8 weeks61
8–9 weeks50
9–10 weeks25
10–11 weeks12
11–12 weeks5
12–13 weeks9
13+ weeks39
Somerset: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI73%78%82%87%91%Feb 26Mar 26Apr 26May 26Jun 26Jul 26Aug 26

Somerset: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England

MonthWaiting under 6 weeksWaiting listEngland under 6 weeks
August 202686.0%2,00478.0%
July 202686.2%2,01178.6%
June 202686.0%2,06977.7%
May 202686.8%1,91376.9%
April 202682.8%1,85675.5%
March 202689.0%2,01878.4%
February 202688.4%1,77380.0%

How Bridgwater compares

AreaUnder 6 weeksWaiting list13+ weeks
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust86.0%2,00439
South West region84.1%27,9991,025
England78.0%357,35616,345

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.

TrustDistance (town)Under 6 weeksWaiting list13+ weeks
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trustabout 53 miles97.7%2,73624
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trustabout 38 miles97.4%6092
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trustabout 33 miles94.6%1,1835
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustabout 73 miles91.1%1,87922
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustabout 86 miles88.1%4,34575
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trustabout 71 miles86.3%1,58134
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trustabout 52 miles81.7%1,21029
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trustabout 72 miles72.8%2,207118
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustabout 27 miles57.8%4,597668
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trustabout 86 miles41.0%2,737993

MRI waits in nearby towns

More for Bridgwater: 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 Bridgwater?

At the end of August 2026, 86.0% of the 2,004 people waiting at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 39 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.

Are MRI waits in Bridgwater getting shorter?

The share waiting under 6 weeks at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust was 88.4% in February 2026 and 86.0% in August 2026, down 2.4 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.