Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Leicester
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Leicester, 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.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 6,257 people were waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. 90.2% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 12.2 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 19.3 points above the Midlands figure of 70.9%. 150 people (2.4%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
University Hospitals of Leicester: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 90.2% | 6,257 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 90.1% | 6,685 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 89.9% | 6,185 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 89.9% | 5,561 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 90.7% | 5,961 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 94.8% | 5,415 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 94.3% | 5,400 | 80.0% |
How Leicester compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust | 90.2% | 6,257 | 150 |
| Midlands region | 70.9% | 82,432 | 5,198 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | about 41 miles | 96.0% | 2,066 | 4 |
| Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 35 miles | 95.1% | 2,030 | 0 |
| University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust | about 17 miles | 92.6% | 4,802 | 193 |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | about 17 miles | 92.1% | 1,384 | 2 |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 41 miles | 88.1% | 4,345 | 75 |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | about 30 miles | 80.6% | 2,176 | 0 |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | about 34 miles | 80.3% | 7,111 | 258 |
| Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 21 miles | 58.4% | 5,415 | 477 |
| Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust | about 34 miles | 52.4% | 8,354 | 630 |
| University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust | about 24 miles | 46.9% | 6,883 | 903 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loughborough | 10 miles | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust | 90.2% | 6,257 |
| Nuneaton | 17 miles | George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | 92.1% | 1,384 |
| Nottingham | 21 miles | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust | 58.4% | 5,415 |
| Coventry | 23 miles | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust | 92.6% | 4,802 |
| Derby | 24 miles | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust | 46.9% | 6,883 |
| Leamington Spa | 30 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 80.6% | 2,176 |
| Warwick | 31 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 80.6% | 2,176 |
| Birmingham | 34 miles | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | 80.3% | 7,111 |
More for Leicester: 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 Leicester?
At the end of August 2026, 90.2% of the 6,257 people waiting at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 150 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Leicester getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was 94.3% in February 2026 and 90.2% in August 2026, down 4.1 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.