Record NHS waiting lists are prompting a significant shift in how people in the UK access vital diagnostic tests, with many now opting to pay for private scans to obtain faster results.
The Search for Speedier Diagnosis
With millions stuck on NHS waiting lists, including those with urgent health concerns, patients are increasingly seeking alternatives to avoid potentially dangerous delays. Private diagnostic services, which operate without the need for a GP referral, are reporting a surge in demand as people prioritise speed and certainty.
One prominent service, Scan.com, offers appointments for scans like MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray within 24 to 72 hours at over 200 clinics nationwide. This contrasts sharply with NHS waits, which can stretch for weeks or months even for cases classified as urgent.
Costs, Services and Competing Providers
While private care comes at a cost, many deem the expense justified for quicker answers. Scan.com's pricing includes private X-Rays from £95, MRI scans from £305, and CT scans from £360. Ultrasounds range between £80 and £180, with other services like mammograms and prostate screening also available.
Patients receive digital results swiftly after their appointment, which can be shared directly with NHS or private consultants. The service is accessible in clinics across the country, from Bath and Birmingham to Cheltenham and Colchester.
Other providers are also catering to this demand. Vista Health lists MRI scans from £249, while HCA Healthcare UK offers private MRI services in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, with appointments possible within 24 hours.
Patient Experiences: Relief and Minor Criticisms
For many users, the service has been transformative. Penny, 67 from Lincolnshire, stated paying for a scan was "worth the fee" after feeling her GP did not take her seriously. "Passing my scan results on, I was finally taken seriously and now I'm receiving the treatment that I actually need," she explained.
Robert, another customer, was told his urgent NHS referral might take a month. He turned to Scan.com and believes the decision was lifesaving. "If I hadn't got my own private scan, I could well have died. I'm very glad I did it," he said.
Reviews on platforms like Trustpilot frequently praise the convenience and speed, with one user noting "the whole process was smooth and convenient" and results arrived the next working day.
However, some feedback points to areas for improvement. A few users expressed a desire for more extensive consultation time with radiologists to discuss findings, and one noted a delay in receiving requested scan images via email.
This growing trend underscores the mounting pressure on the NHS and the lengths to which patients will go to secure timely healthcare, investing significant sums for diagnostics that were once routinely accessed for free.
