MRI scan – Oxford University Hospitals NOT LIVE
9 in 10 (88.1%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (4,345 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 Oxford
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Oxford, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Oxford: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Oxford University Hospitals hospital: Churchill Hospital (OX3 7LE), about 2 miles from central Oxford.
- Usually referred to: patients in Oxford are usually referred to Oxford University Hospitals 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: Oxford CDC (OX4 2LL), about 3 miles away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Thames Valley ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, about 24 miles away, where 89.1% 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 Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
88.1%waiting under 6 weeks
4,345people on the MRI waiting list
515waiting 6 weeks or more
75waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 4,345 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 88.1% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 10.1 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 10.7 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 75 people (1.7%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
Oxford University Hospitals: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 88.1% | 4,345 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 84.0% | 4,799 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 82.9% | 4,864 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 87.3% | 4,700 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 85.7% | 4,581 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 86.4% | 4,656 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 90.4% | 4,702 | 80.0% |
How Oxford compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 88.1% | 4,345 | 75 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | about 46 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 42 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust | about 39 miles | 92.6% | 4,802 | 193 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 34 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 24 miles | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | about 50 miles | 84.4% | 5,227 | 23 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | about 28 miles | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 51 miles | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 51 miles | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | about 39 miles | 80.6% | 2,176 | 0 |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bicester | 11 miles | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 88.1% | 4,345 |
| Banbury | 22 miles | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 88.1% | 4,345 |
| Reading | 24 miles | Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 89.1% | 2,492 |
| Maidenhead | 28 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Slough | 33 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Basingstoke | 34 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Warwick | 39 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 80.6% | 2,176 |
| Leamington Spa | 39 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 80.6% | 2,176 |
More for Oxford: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Oxford · CT scan waiting times in Oxford · Ultrasound waiting times in Oxford · Endoscopy waiting times in Oxford. 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 Oxford?
At the end of August 2026, 88.1% of the 4,345 people waiting for an MRI scan at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 75 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Oxford getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was 90.4% in February 2026 and 88.1% in August 2026, down 2.3 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 Oxford CDC, about 3 miles from Oxford.
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.