Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Reading
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Reading, 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 Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 2,492 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. 89.1% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 11.1 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 11.7 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 46 people (1.8%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Royal Berkshire: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 89.1% | 2,492 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 89.7% | 3,246 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 77.1% | 3,293 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 78.4% | 3,077 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 73.0% | 3,351 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 75.3% | 3,473 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 78.7% | 3,334 | 80.0% |
How Reading compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| 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 23 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 20 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 31 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 13 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 24 miles | 88.1% | 4,345 | 75 |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 84.4% | 5,227 | 23 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | about 12 miles | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 36 miles | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 72.2% | 6,544 | 312 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhead | 12 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Basingstoke | 13 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Slough | 17 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Woking | 20 miles | Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 99.2% | 1,029 |
| Guildford | 23 miles | Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 99.8% | 859 |
| Oxford | 24 miles | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 88.1% | 4,345 |
| Winchester | 31 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Epsom | 31 miles | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.1% | 1,602 |
More for Reading: 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 Reading?
At the end of August 2026, 89.1% of the 2,492 people waiting at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 46 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Reading getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust was 78.7% in February 2026 and 89.1% in August 2026, up 10.4 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.