Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Exeter
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Exeter, 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.
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 4,597 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 57.8% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 20.2 points below the England figure of 78.0% and 26.3 points below the South West figure of 84.1%. 668 people (14.5%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Royal Devon University Healthcare: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 57.8% | 4,597 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 55.5% | 5,087 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 55.9% | 4,779 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 59.3% | 4,267 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 62.2% | 3,864 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 61.4% | 3,767 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 69.6% | 3,795 | 80.0% |
How Exeter compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 | 668 |
| South West region | 84.1% | 27,999 | 1,025 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 68 miles | 97.7% | 2,736 | 24 |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 48 miles | 97.4% | 609 | 2 |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | about 71 miles | 94.7% | 2,092 | 17 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 68 miles | 94.6% | 1,183 | 5 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 100 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 94 miles | 86.3% | 1,581 | 34 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | about 28 miles | 86.0% | 2,004 | 39 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 18 miles | 81.7% | 1,210 | 29 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 36 miles | 72.8% | 2,207 | 118 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 107 miles | 41.0% | 2,737 | 993 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiverton | 13 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 |
| Torquay | 18 miles | Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | 81.7% | 1,210 |
| Taunton | 28 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Barnstaple | 34 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 |
| Plymouth | 36 miles | University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 72.8% | 2,207 |
| Bridgwater | 37 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Yeovil | 42 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Dorchester | 48 miles | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 97.4% | 609 |
More for Exeter: 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 Exeter?
At the end of August 2026, 57.8% of the 4,597 people waiting at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 668 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Exeter getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was 69.6% in February 2026 and 57.8% in August 2026, down 11.8 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.