MRI scan – Royal Devon University Healthcare NOT LIVE
3 in 5 (57.8%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (4,597 waiting).
Official monthly figure, end of Aug 2026 · published 8 October 2026 · NHS England
Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
MRI scan waiting times in Barnstaple
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Barnstaple, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Barnstaple: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Royal Devon University Healthcare hospital: North Devon District Hospital (EX31 4JB), under a mile from central Barnstaple.
- Usually referred to: patients in Barnstaple are usually referred to Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the nearest major hospital. Your GP or referrer can tell you where you would go.
- Nearest community diagnostic centre doing MRI scans: Devon Exeter Nightingale CDC (EX2 7JG), about 36 miles away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Devon ICB.
What is an MRI scan?
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.
MRI scan waiting list at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
57.8%waiting under 6 weeks
4,597people on the MRI waiting list
1,941waiting 6 weeks or more
668waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 4,597 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 57.8% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 20.2 points below the England figure of 78.0% and 26.3 points below the South West figure of 84.1%. 668 people (14.5%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
Royal Devon University Healthcare: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 57.8% | 4,597 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 55.5% | 5,087 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 55.9% | 4,779 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 59.3% | 4,267 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 62.2% | 3,864 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 61.4% | 3,767 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 69.6% | 3,795 | 80.0% |
How Barnstaple compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 | 668 |
| South West region | 84.1% | 27,999 | 1,025 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 94 miles | 97.7% | 2,736 | 24 |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 75 miles | 97.4% | 609 | 2 |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | about 64 miles | 94.7% | 2,092 | 17 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 76 miles | 94.6% | 1,183 | 5 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 119 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 129 miles | 88.1% | 4,345 | 75 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 116 miles | 86.3% | 1,581 | 34 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | about 42 miles | 86.0% | 2,004 | 39 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 49 miles | 81.7% | 1,210 | 29 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 48 miles | 72.8% | 2,207 | 118 |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiverton | 28 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 |
| Exeter | 34 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 57.8% | 4,597 |
| Taunton | 42 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Bridgwater | 46 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Plymouth | 48 miles | University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 72.8% | 2,207 |
| Torquay | 49 miles | Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | 81.7% | 1,210 |
| Yeovil | 63 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 2,004 |
| Newquay | 64 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 94.7% | 2,092 |
More for Barnstaple: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Barnstaple · CT scan waiting times in Barnstaple · Ultrasound waiting times in Barnstaple · Endoscopy waiting times in Barnstaple. National picture: MRI scan 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 Barnstaple?
At the end of August 2026, 57.8% of the 4,597 people waiting for an MRI scan at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 668 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Barnstaple getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was 69.6% in February 2026 and 57.8% in August 2026, down 11.8 points.
Can I have my MRI scan 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. The nearest community diagnostic centre recording MRI scans in NHS England’s Aug 2026 data is Devon Exeter Nightingale CDC, about 36 miles from Barnstaple.
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.