MRI scan – NHS Lothian NOT LIVE
3 in 4 (76.0%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited 6 weeks or less (3,982 waiting).
Official monthly figure for Jun 2026 · Public Health Scotland
Scotland diagnostics data for June 2026, published 25 August 2026
MRI scan waiting times in Edinburgh
Waiting times for MRI scans at NHS Lothian, which serves Edinburgh, Scotland.
These are Scotland figures, not NHS England data. Health services in Scotland are run separately and publish their own statistics, which use different definitions. Figures here come from Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
Edinburgh: local hospitals and referrals
- Local NHS organisation: Edinburgh is served by NHS Lothian, which runs its hospitals and decides where patients are referred.
- Nearest emergency departments: Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (NHS Lothian), about 3 miles away; Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France (NHS Lothian), about 3 miles away.
- Where to check your own referral: your GP or the hospital booking team at NHS Lothian can tell you where you would be seen and your expected wait.
- Official source: Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
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 NHS Lothian
At the end of the month (June 2026), 3,982 people were waiting for an MRI scan at NHS Lothian, of whom 954 (24.0%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Scotland the figure was 22.6%; a lower percentage is better. Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland.
NHS Lothian: % waiting over 6 weeks for MRI Scotland
| Month | NHS Lothian % over 6 weeks | Scotland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 24.0% | 22.6% |
| May 2026 | 29.2% | 24.5% |
| April 2026 | 30.3% | 28.1% |
| March 2026 | 37.6% | 29.0% |
| February 2026 | 52.9% | 36.2% |
| January 2026 | 61.2% | 45.6% |
| Health board | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| NHS Borders | 1.4% |
| NHS Dumfries and Galloway | 2.7% |
| NHS Forth Valley | 4.8% |
| NHS Fife | 6.9% |
| NHS Grampian | 13.8% |
| NHS Orkney | 21.1% |
| Golden Jubilee National Hospital | 23.6% |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | 23.9% |
| NHS Lothian | 24.0% |
| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 24.8% |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% |
| NHS Tayside | 31.2% |
| NHS Shetland | 32.1% |
| NHS Highland | 37.7% |
| NHS Western Isles | 40.4% |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy | 11 miles | NHS Fife | 6.9% | 1,537 |
| Dunfermline | 13 miles | NHS Fife | 6.9% | 1,537 |
| Hamilton | 35 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% | 1,592 |
| East Kilbride | 41 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 26.3% | 1,592 |
| Glasgow | 42 miles | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 24.8% | 8,029 |
| Aberdeen | 93 miles | NHS Grampian | 13.8% | 1,452 |
| Inverness | 113 miles | NHS Highland | 37.7% | 1,098 |
More for Edinburgh: all waiting times · CT scan waiting times in Edinburgh · Ultrasound waiting times in Edinburgh · Endoscopy waiting times in Edinburgh. England comparison: MRI scan waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an MRI scan in Edinburgh?
24.0% of the 3,982 people waiting for an MRI scan at NHS Lothian had waited more than 6 weeks (June 2026), compared with 22.6% across Scotland.
Why is this not the same measure as England?
Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland. England reports the share waiting under 6 weeks from NHS England’s DM01 return.
Where do these figures come from?
From Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot), published under the Open Government Licence.