MRI scan – Lewisham and Greenwich NOT LIVE
10 in 10 (96.9%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (1,482 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 Greenwich
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Greenwich, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Greenwich: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Lewisham and Greenwich hospital: Blackheath Hospital (SE3 9UD), about 1 mile from central Greenwich.
- Usually referred to: patients in Greenwich are usually referred to Lewisham and Greenwich NHS 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: Eltham Community Hospital CDC (SE9 5DQ), about 3 miles away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS South East London ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, about 6 miles away, where 100.0% of its MRI scan list had waited under 6 weeks at the end of Aug 2026.
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
96.9%waiting under 6 weeks
1,482people on the MRI waiting list
46waiting 6 weeks or more
24waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 1,482 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. 96.9% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 18.9 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 17.5 points above the London figure of 79.4%. 24 people (1.6%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
Lewisham and Greenwich: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 96.9% | 1,482 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 97.7% | 1,476 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 97.8% | 1,400 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 97.2% | 1,395 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 97.3% | 1,363 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 97.9% | 1,787 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 97.3% | 1,670 | 80.0% |
How Greenwich compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | 96.9% | 1,482 | 24 |
| 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 6 miles | 100.0% | 1,322 | 0 |
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | about 9 miles | 100.0% | 846 | 0 |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | about 9 miles | 99.2% | 1,984 | 1 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 16 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | about 26 miles | 99.0% | 1,526 | 0 |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | about 8 miles | 84.4% | 5,227 | 23 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | about 26 miles | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 7 miles | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 7 miles | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 8 miles | 72.2% | 6,544 | 312 |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackney | 6 miles | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 100.0% | 1,322 |
| Westminster | 7 miles | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 82.3% | 4,902 |
| Camden | 8 miles | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | 84.4% | 5,227 |
| Croydon | 9 miles | Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | 99.2% | 1,984 |
| Dartford | 9 miles | Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | 100.0% | 846 |
| Epsom | 16 miles | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.1% | 1,602 |
| Slough | 26 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Maidstone | 26 miles | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | 99.0% | 1,526 |
More for Greenwich: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Greenwich · CT scan waiting times in Greenwich · Ultrasound waiting times in Greenwich · Endoscopy waiting times in Greenwich. 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 Greenwich?
At the end of August 2026, 96.9% of the 1,482 people waiting for an MRI scan at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 24 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Greenwich getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust was 97.3% in February 2026 and 96.9% in August 2026, down 0.4 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 Eltham Community Hospital CDC, about 3 miles from Greenwich.
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.