MRI scan – Manchester University NOT LIVE
9 in 10 (86.8%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (7,589 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 Manchester
How long people are waiting for an MRI 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 MRI 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 90.7% 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 Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
86.8%waiting under 6 weeks
7,589people on the MRI waiting list
1,000waiting 6 weeks or more
153waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 7,589 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. 86.8% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 8.8 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 3.3 points below the North West figure of 90.1%. 153 people (2.0%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
Manchester University: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 86.8% | 7,589 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 88.3% | 7,318 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 86.6% | 6,980 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 84.3% | 6,131 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 85.6% | 6,964 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 88.2% | 6,836 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 87.5% | 7,115 | 80.0% |
How Manchester compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 86.8% | 7,589 | 153 |
| North West region | 90.1% | 43,852 | 543 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | about 21 miles | 100.0% | 2,134 | 0 |
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 30 miles | 99.5% | 665 | 2 |
| Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | about 6 miles | 99.4% | 788 | 0 |
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | about 10 miles | 98.6% | 792 | 1 |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 27 miles | 96.4% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | about 2 miles | 90.7% | 7,627 | 8 |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 31 miles | 90.5% | 2,319 | 0 |
| Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | about 33 miles | 87.4% | 2,034 | 80 |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | about 21 miles | 86.2% | 2,904 | 27 |
| Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 32 miles | 79.3% | 3,718 | 127 |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salford | 2 miles | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 90.7% | 7,627 |
| Stockport | 6 miles | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 99.4% | 788 |
| Bolton | 10 miles | Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 98.6% | 792 |
| St Helens | 21 miles | Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 86.2% | 2,904 |
| Blackburn | 21 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| Burnley | 21 miles | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 100.0% | 2,134 |
| Preston | 27 miles | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 96.4% | 1,326 |
| Bradford | 30 miles | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 99.5% | 665 |
More for Manchester: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Manchester · CT scan waiting times in Manchester · Ultrasound waiting times in Manchester · Endoscopy waiting times in Manchester. 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 Manchester?
At the end of August 2026, 86.8% of the 7,589 people waiting for an MRI scan at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 153 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Manchester getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust was 87.5% in February 2026 and 86.8% in August 2026, down 0.7 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 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.