MRI scan – University Hospital Southampton NOT LIVE
9 in 10 (86.3%)
people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (1,581 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 Southampton
How long people are waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital trust serving Southampton, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Southampton: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest University Hospital Southampton hospital: Royal South Hants Hospital (SO14 0YG), under a mile from central Southampton.
- Usually referred to: patients in Southampton are usually referred to University Hospital Southampton 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: Royal South Hants CDC (SO14 0YG), under a mile away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, about 11 miles away, where 91.1% 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 University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
86.3%waiting under 6 weeks
1,581people on the MRI waiting list
217waiting 6 weeks or more
34waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 1,581 people were waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. 86.3% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 8.3 points above the England figure of 78.0% and 8.9 points above the South East figure of 77.4%. 34 people (2.2%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the MRI scan list had waited
University Hospital Southampton: % waiting under 6 weeks for MRI England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 86.3% | 1,581 | 78.0% |
| July 2026 | 85.7% | 1,713 | 78.6% |
| June 2026 | 86.9% | 1,857 | 77.7% |
| May 2026 | 89.9% | 1,766 | 76.9% |
| April 2026 | 83.4% | 1,896 | 75.5% |
| March 2026 | 89.6% | 1,880 | 78.4% |
| February 2026 | 94.2% | 1,850 | 80.0% |
How Southampton compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | 86.3% | 1,581 | 34 |
| 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 43 miles | 99.8% | 859 | 1 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 46 miles | 99.2% | 1,029 | 0 |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 25 miles | 97.7% | 2,736 | 24 |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 47 miles | 97.4% | 609 | 2 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 53 miles | 94.6% | 1,183 | 5 |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | about 45 miles | 92.5% | 2,755 | 56 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 11 miles | 91.1% | 1,879 | 22 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 42 miles | 89.1% | 2,492 | 46 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | about 51 miles | 83.7% | 1,599 | 115 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 16 miles | 41.0% | 2,737 | 993 |
MRI scan waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | MRI under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 11 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Portsmouth | 16 miles | Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | 41.0% | 2,737 |
| Bournemouth | 25 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 97.7% | 2,736 |
| Basingstoke | 28 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 91.1% | 1,879 |
| Poole | 29 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 97.7% | 2,736 |
| Reading | 42 miles | Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 89.1% | 2,492 |
| Guildford | 43 miles | Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 99.8% | 859 |
| Worthing | 45 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 92.5% | 2,755 |
More for Southampton: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Southampton · CT scan waiting times in Southampton · Ultrasound waiting times in Southampton · Endoscopy waiting times in Southampton. 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 Southampton?
At the end of August 2026, 86.3% of the 1,581 people waiting for an MRI scan at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 34 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.0% under 6 weeks.
Are MRI scan waits in Southampton getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust was 94.2% in February 2026 and 86.3% in August 2026, down 7.9 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 Royal South Hants CDC, under a mile from Southampton.
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.