Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026

MRI scan waiting times in Poole

How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Poole, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 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 Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

At the end of August 2026, 2,736 people were waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. 97.7% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 19.7 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 13.6 points above the South West figure of 84.1%. 24 people (0.9%) had waited 13 weeks or more.

How long people on the MRI scan list had waited

How Poole compares

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.

MRI scan waits in nearby towns

More for Poole: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Poole · CT scan waiting times in Poole · Ultrasound waiting times in Poole · Endoscopy waiting times in Poole. 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).