Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Portsmouth
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Portsmouth, 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.
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 2,737 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. 41.0% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 37.0 points below the England figure of 78.0% and 36.4 points below the South East figure of 77.4%. 993 people (36.3%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Portsmouth Hospitals University: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 41.0% | 2,737 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 49.6% | 2,889 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 52.0% | 2,856 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 55.4% | 2,591 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 54.2% | 2,672 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 54.7% | 2,556 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 59.2% | 2,420 | 80.0% |
How Portsmouth compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | 41.0% | 2,737 | 993 |
| South East region | 77.4% | 54,655 | 2,547 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | about 38 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 43 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 51 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 35 miles | 97.7% | 2,736 | 24 |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | about 48 miles | 93.6% | 2,030 | 16 |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | about 31 miles | 92.5% | 2,755 | 56 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 20 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 45 miles | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 16 miles | 86.3% | 1,581 | 34 |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | about 45 miles | 73.9% | 2,579 | 2 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 16 miles | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | 86.3% | 1,581 |
| Winchester | 20 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Worthing | 31 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 |
| Basingstoke | 32 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Bournemouth | 35 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 97.7% | 2,736 |
| Guildford | 38 miles | Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 99.8% | 859 |
| Poole | 39 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 97.7% | 2,736 |
| Brighton | 41 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 |
More for Portsmouth: 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 Portsmouth?
At the end of August 2026, 41.0% of the 2,737 people waiting at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 993 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Portsmouth getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust was 59.2% in February 2026 and 41.0% in August 2026, down 18.2 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.