Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI waiting times in Westminster
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trusts serving Westminster, 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.
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 4,902 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 82.3% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 4.3 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 2.9 points above the London figure of 79.4%. 31 people (0.6%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Imperial College Healthcare: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 82.3% | 4,902 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 86.0% | 5,268 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 85.2% | 5,008 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 82.9% | 4,309 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 92.4% | 3,750 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 95.7% | 3,432 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 94.1% | 3,319 | 80.0% |
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 2,711 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 82.0% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 4.0 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 2.6 points above the London figure of 79.4%. 7 people (0.3%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 82.0% | 2,711 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 91.9% | 2,762 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 91.6% | 2,582 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 95.1% | 2,308 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 85.7% | 2,370 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 96.4% | 2,168 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 99.2% | 1,798 | 80.0% |
How Westminster compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| London region | 79.4% | 59,127 | 3,391 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 5 miles | 100.0% | 1,322 | 0 |
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | about 16 miles | 100.0% | 846 | 0 |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | about 9 miles | 99.2% | 1,984 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 22 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 13 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | about 7 miles | 96.9% | 1,482 | 24 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 25 miles | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | about 3 miles | 84.4% | 5,227 | 23 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 3 miles | 72.2% | 6,544 | 312 |
MRI waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | 3 miles | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | 84.4% | 5,227 |
| Hackney | 5 miles | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 100.0% | 1,322 |
| Greenwich | 7 miles | Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | 96.9% | 1,482 |
| Croydon | 9 miles | Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | 99.2% | 1,984 |
| Epsom | 13 miles | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.1% | 1,602 |
| Dartford | 16 miles | Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | 100.0% | 846 |
| Slough | 19 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Woking | 22 miles | Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 99.2% | 1,029 |
More for Westminster: 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 Westminster?
At the end of August 2026, 82.3% of the 4,902 people waiting at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 31 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI waits in Westminster getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust was 94.1% in February 2026 and 82.3% in August 2026, down 11.8 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.