MRI scan – University Hospitals Sussex NOT LIVE
9 in 10 (92.5%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (2,755 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 Lewes
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trusts serving Lewes, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Lewes: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest East Sussex Healthcare hospital: Lewes Victoria Hospital (BN7 1PE), under a mile from central Lewes.
- Usually referred to: patients in Lewes are usually referred to University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust or East Sussex Healthcare 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: Brighton CDC (BN1 9BL), about 4 miles away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, about 19 miles away, where 73.9% 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 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
92.5%waiting under 6 weeks
2,755people on the MRI waiting list
208waiting 6 weeks or more
56waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 2,755 people were waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. 92.5% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 14.5 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 15.1 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 56 people (2.0%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
University Hospitals Sussex: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 92.5% | 2,755 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 94.4% | 3,203 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 93.6% | 3,143 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 92.8% | 2,926 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 92.6% | 3,105 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 96.5% | 3,053 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 92.7% | 2,830 | 80.0% |
MRI scan waiting list at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
93.6%waiting under 6 weeks
2,030people on the MRI waiting list
129waiting 6 weeks or more
16waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 2,030 people were waiting for an MRI scan at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. 93.6% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 15.6 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 16.2 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 16 people (0.8%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
East Sussex Healthcare: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 93.6% | 2,030 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 93.5% | 2,714 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 85.9% | 3,349 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 82.2% | 3,219 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 77.3% | 3,483 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 74.9% | 3,620 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 78.1% | 3,711 | 80.0% |
How Lewes compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 | 56 |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 93.6% | 2,030 | 16 |
| South East region | 77.4% | 54,655 | 2,547 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | about 41 miles | 100.0% | 846 | 0 |
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | about 35 miles | 99.2% | 1,984 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 40 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 34 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | about 35 miles | 99.0% | 1,526 | 0 |
| Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | about 42 miles | 96.9% | 1,482 | 24 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 44 miles | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 44 miles | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | about 19 miles | 73.9% | 2,579 | 2 |
| East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust | about 42 miles | 51.7% | 12,727 | 863 |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 7 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 |
| Eastbourne | 14 miles | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 93.6% | 2,030 |
| Worthing | 17 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 |
| Crawley | 19 miles | Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 73.9% | 2,579 |
| Hastings | 24 miles | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 93.6% | 2,030 |
| Epsom | 34 miles | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.1% | 1,602 |
| Croydon | 35 miles | Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | 99.2% | 1,984 |
| Maidstone | 35 miles | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | 99.0% | 1,526 |
More for Lewes: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Lewes · CT scan waiting times in Lewes · Ultrasound waiting times in Lewes · Endoscopy waiting times in Lewes. 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 Lewes?
At the end of August 2026, 92.5% of the 2,755 people waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 56 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Lewes getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust was 92.7% in February 2026 and 92.5% in August 2026, down 0.2 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 Brighton CDC, about 4 miles from Lewes.
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.