MRI scan – Frimley Health NOT LIVE
8 in 10 (83.7%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (1,599 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 Slough
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Slough, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Slough: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Frimley Health hospital: Upton Hospital (SL1 2BJ), under a mile from central Slough.
- Usually referred to: patients in Slough are usually referred to Frimley Health 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: Slough CDC (SL1 2BJ), under a mile 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 6 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 Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
83.7%waiting under 6 weeks
1,599people on the MRI waiting list
261waiting 6 weeks or more
115waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 1,599 people were waiting for an MRI scan at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. 83.7% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 5.7 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 6.3 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 115 people (7.2%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
Frimley Health: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 83.7% | 1,599 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 87.1% | 2,093 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 86.1% | 2,295 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 85.0% | 2,404 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 85.3% | 3,630 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 74.9% | 4,521 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 82.3% | 4,243 | 80.0% |
How Slough compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 23 miles | 100.0% | 1,322 | 0 |
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 13 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | about 23 miles | 99.2% | 1,984 | 1 |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | about 19 miles | 99.1% | 1,602 | 2 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 6 miles | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 84.4% | 5,227 | 23 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 19 miles | 82.3% | 4,902 | 31 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 82.0% | 2,711 | 7 |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhead | 6 miles | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 83.7% | 1,599 |
| Woking | 13 miles | Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 99.2% | 1,029 |
| Reading | 17 miles | Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 89.1% | 2,492 |
| Epsom | 19 miles | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.1% | 1,602 |
| Guildford | 19 miles | Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 99.8% | 859 |
| Westminster | 19 miles | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 82.3% | 4,902 |
| Camden | 19 miles | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | 84.4% | 5,227 |
| Hackney | 23 miles | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 100.0% | 1,322 |
More for Slough: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Slough · CT scan waiting times in Slough · Ultrasound waiting times in Slough · Endoscopy waiting times in Slough. 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 Slough?
At the end of August 2026, 83.7% of the 1,599 people waiting for an MRI scan at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 115 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Slough getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust was 82.3% in February 2026 and 83.7% in August 2026, up 1.4 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 Slough CDC, under a mile from Slough.
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.