CT scan – Manchester University NOT LIVE
4 in 5 (82.1%)
people on the CT scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (4,004 waiting).
Official monthly figure, end of Aug 2026 · published 8 October 2026 · NHS England
Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
CT scan waiting times in Manchester
How long people are waiting for a CT scan at the hospital trust serving Manchester, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Manchester: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Manchester University hospital: Manchester Royal Infirmary (M13 9WL), about 1 mile from central Manchester.
- Usually referred to: patients in Manchester are usually referred to Manchester University 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 CT scans: North Manchester CDC (M9 4DA), about 3 miles away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Greater Manchester ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, about 2 miles away, where 96.0% of its CT scan list had waited under 6 weeks at the end of Aug 2026.
What is a CT scan?
A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays and a computer to make cross-section images of the body. It is quick and widely used for the chest, abdomen, head and to stage cancer.
CT scan waiting list at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
82.1%waiting under 6 weeks
4,004people on the CT waiting list
717waiting 6 weeks or more
75waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 4,004 people were waiting for a CT scan at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. 82.1% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 6.7 points below the England figure of 88.8% and 9.4 points below the North West figure of 91.5%. 75 people (1.9%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the CT scan list had waited
Manchester University: % waiting under 6 weeks for CT England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 82.1% | 4,004 | 88.8% |
| July 2026 | 85.3% | 4,419 | 90.1% |
| June 2026 | 87.0% | 4,512 | 90.1% |
| May 2026 | 87.6% | 4,232 | 89.0% |
| April 2026 | 87.6% | 4,338 | 87.5% |
| March 2026 | 89.6% | 4,553 | 90.0% |
| February 2026 | 89.5% | 4,669 | 90.6% |
How Manchester compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 82.1% | 4,004 | 75 |
| North West region | 91.5% | 21,927 | 255 |
| England | 88.8% | 181,619 | 4,683 |
Nearby hospital trusts for CT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | about 21 miles | 100.0% | 1,649 | 0 |
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 30 miles | 100.0% | 797 | 0 |
| Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | about 33 miles | 100.0% | 949 | 0 |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 31 miles | 99.7% | 1,501 | 0 |
| Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | about 6 miles | 98.4% | 737 | 1 |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | about 2 miles | 96.0% | 2,125 | 2 |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | about 21 miles | 89.6% | 1,544 | 1 |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 27 miles | 85.5% | 948 | 71 |
| Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 32 miles | 81.3% | 2,667 | 56 |
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | about 10 miles | 69.7% | 363 | 50 |
CT scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | CT under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salford | 2 miles | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 96.0% | 2,125 |
| Stockport | 6 miles | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 98.4% | 737 |
| Bolton | 10 miles | Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 69.7% | 363 |
| St Helens | 21 miles | Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 89.6% | 1,544 |
| Blackburn | 21 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 1,649 |
| Burnley | 21 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 1,649 |
| Preston | 27 miles | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 85.5% | 948 |
| Bradford | 30 miles | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 100.0% | 797 |
More for Manchester: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Manchester · MRI scan waiting times in Manchester · Ultrasound waiting times in Manchester · Endoscopy waiting times in Manchester. National picture: CT 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 a CT scan in Manchester?
At the end of August 2026, 82.1% of the 4,004 people waiting for a CT scan at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 75 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 88.8% under 6 weeks.
Are CT scan waits in Manchester getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust was 89.5% in February 2026 and 82.1% in August 2026, down 7.4 points.
Can I have my CT 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 CT scans in NHS England’s Aug 2026 data is North Manchester CDC, about 3 miles from Manchester.
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.