Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in St Helens
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving St Helens, 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.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 2,904 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 86.2% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 8.2 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 3.9 points below the North West figure of 90.1%. 27 people (0.9%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 86.2% | 2,904 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 86.0% | 2,736 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 86.1% | 2,453 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 84.2% | 1,959 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 85.2% | 1,935 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 89.9% | 1,900 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 93.3% | 1,827 | 80.0% |
How St Helens compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 86.2% | 2,904 | 27 |
| North West region | 90.1% | 43,852 | 543 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | about 23 miles | 100.0% | 2,134 | 0 |
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 47 miles | 99.5% | 665 | 2 |
| Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | about 24 miles | 99.4% | 788 | 0 |
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | about 16 miles | 98.6% | 792 | 1 |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 15 miles | 98.1% | 1,105 | 2 |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 21 miles | 96.4% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 90.7% | 7,627 | 8 |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 10 miles | 90.5% | 2,319 | 0 |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | about 21 miles | 86.8% | 7,589 | 153 |
| Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 53 miles | 79.3% | 3,718 | 127 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 10 miles | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 90.5% | 2,319 |
| Wirral | 15 miles | Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 98.1% | 1,105 |
| Bolton | 16 miles | Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 98.6% | 792 |
| Salford | 19 miles | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 90.7% | 7,627 |
| Manchester | 21 miles | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 86.8% | 7,589 |
| Preston | 21 miles | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 96.4% | 1,326 |
| Blackburn | 23 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| Stockport | 24 miles | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 99.4% | 788 |
More for St Helens: 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 St Helens?
At the end of August 2026, 86.2% of the 2,904 people waiting at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 27 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in St Helens getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was 93.3% in February 2026 and 86.2% in August 2026, down 7.1 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.