Scotland diagnostics data for June 2026, published 25 August 2026
MRI waiting times in Edinburgh
Waiting times for MRI scans at NHS Lothian, which serves Edinburgh, Scotland.
These are Scotland figures, not NHS England data. Health services in Scotland are run separately and publish their own statistics, which use different definitions. Figures here come from Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
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.
At the end of the month (June 2026), 3,982 people were waiting for an MRI scan at NHS Lothian, of whom 954 (24.0%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Scotland the figure was 22.6%; a lower percentage is better. Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland.
NHS Lothian: % waiting over 6 weeks for MRI Scotland
| Month | NHS Lothian % over 6 weeks | Scotland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 24.0% | 22.6% |
| May 2026 | 29.2% | 24.5% |
| April 2026 | 30.3% | 28.1% |
| March 2026 | 37.6% | 29.0% |
| February 2026 | 52.9% | 36.2% |
| January 2026 | 61.2% | 45.6% |
| Health board | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| NHS Borders | 1.4% |
| NHS Dumfries and Galloway | 2.7% |
| NHS Forth Valley | 4.8% |
| NHS Fife | 6.9% |
| NHS Grampian | 13.8% |
| NHS Orkney | 21.1% |
| Golden Jubilee National Hospital | 23.6% |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | 23.9% |
| NHS Lothian | 24.0% |
| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 24.8% |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% |
| NHS Tayside | 31.2% |
| NHS Shetland | 32.1% |
| NHS Highland | 37.7% |
| NHS Western Isles | 40.4% |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy | 11 miles | NHS Fife | 6.9% | 1,537 |
| Dunfermline | 13 miles | NHS Fife | 6.9% | 1,537 |
| Hamilton | 35 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% | 1,592 |
| East Kilbride | 41 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% | 1,592 |
| Glasgow | 42 miles | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 24.8% | 8,029 |
| Aberdeen | 93 miles | NHS Grampian | 13.8% | 1,452 |
| Inverness | 113 miles | NHS Highland | 37.7% | 1,098 |
More for Edinburgh: all waiting times · CT · Ultrasound · Endoscopy. England comparison: MRI waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an MRI scan in Edinburgh?
24.0% of the 3,982 people waiting at NHS Lothian had waited more than 6 weeks (June 2026), compared with 22.6% across Scotland.
Why is this not the same measure as England?
Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland. England reports the share waiting under 6 weeks from NHS England’s DM01 return.
Where do these figures come from?
From Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot), published under the Open Government Licence.