Waiting Times UK

Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026

MRI waiting times in Torquay

How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Torquay, 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.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

81.7%waiting under 6 weeks
1,210people on the MRI waiting list
221waiting 6 weeks or more
29waiting 13 weeks or more

At the end of August 2026, 1,210 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. 81.7% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 3.7 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 2.4 points below the South West figure of 84.1%. 29 people (2.4%) had waited 13 weeks or more.

How long people on the list had waited

0–1 weeks249
1–2 weeks229
2–3 weeks167
3–4 weeks144
4–5 weeks98
5–6 weeks102
6–7 weeks68
7–8 weeks38
8–9 weeks27
9–10 weeks24
10–11 weeks11
11–12 weeks17
12–13 weeks7
13+ weeks29
Torbay and South Devon: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI57%64%71%78%85%Feb 26Mar 26Apr 26May 26Jun 26Jul 26Aug 26

Torbay and South Devon: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England

MonthWaiting under 6 weeksWaiting listEngland under 6 weeks
August 202681.7%1,21078.0%
July 202677.8%1,13978.6%
June 202674.2%1,19477.7%
May 202663.2%1,25076.9%
April 202659.9%1,19275.5%
March 202665.1%1,50078.4%
February 202674.0%1,47580.0%

How Torquay compares

AreaUnder 6 weeksWaiting list13+ weeks
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust81.7%1,21029
South West region84.1%27,9991,025
England78.0%357,35616,345

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.

TrustDistance (town)Under 6 weeksWaiting list13+ weeks
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trustabout 70 miles97.7%2,73624
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trustabout 49 miles97.4%6092
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trustabout 68 miles94.7%2,09217
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trustabout 81 miles94.6%1,1835
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustabout 106 miles91.1%1,87922
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trustabout 98 miles86.3%1,58134
Somerset NHS Foundation Trustabout 43 miles86.0%2,00439
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trustabout 27 miles72.8%2,207118
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustabout 18 miles57.8%4,597668
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trustabout 109 miles41.0%2,737993

MRI waits in nearby towns

More for Torquay: 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 Torquay?

At the end of August 2026, 81.7% of the 1,210 people waiting at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 29 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.

Are MRI waits in Torquay getting shorter?

The share waiting under 6 weeks at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust was 74.0% in February 2026 and 81.7% in August 2026, up 7.7 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.