The complete guide to getting a scan

It’s common to feel uncertain. If you have symptoms or are worried about an aspect of your health, getting the right scan at the right time is one of the most important steps you can take to understand what’s going on in your body. The earlier you get answers, the sooner you can act.

Whether your GP has suggested you have a scan, a specialist or consultant has referred you, or you’re thinking about arranging your own privately, this guide explains everything you need to know about getting a medical scan.

Who can send me for a scan?

Your GP, hospital consultant, A&E doctor, osteopath, chiropractor, or physiotherapist can refer you for a scan. You may also hear your medical professional refer to scanning as ‘imaging.’

Different healthcare professionals have different referral powers. Some can refer you directly to a scanning department or specialist imaging centre, and others may need to refer you to a different specialist first. It will also depend on your symptoms and where in your body you’re experiencing them.

How does a scan referral work?

Like many diagnostic tests, such as a biopsy or blood test, most scans need to be booked in advance.

If you’re having a scan with the NHS, your GP or specialist sends a referral to a radiology department - the name doctors use to describe a scanning or imaging department - near you. You won’t necessarily see that referral letter, as it happens behind the scenes.

A member of the booking team within the radiology department will contact you with an appointment time and date. NHS waiting lists can sometimes be lengthy, and you may wait weeks or months for your appointment, depending on the reason for the scan.

You can organise a scan directly with a private scanning centre without a referral letter from a doctor, and the waiting time can be between one day and two weeks. This can be called self-referral, but a clinical referral is still required behind the scenes. If you book with Scan.com or a private clinic, they will assess your scan request, and, if appropriate, create a referral for you.

The booking then goes ahead without needing to see your usual GP or a consultant beforehand. If a scan is not appropriate, a referral isn’t created, and the booking is cancelled. Alternative guidance is provided in this case.

Whether the referral is generated by an NHS or a private doctor, the information it contains remains the same. A referral usually includes a patient's symptoms, the affected area, and any clinical questions raised by the symptoms. It is signed off by a doctor or clinician with the relevant qualifications.

How long does the process take?

NHS waiting times vary greatly by location, the type of scan required, and the body part to be scanned. You may wait a few days or weeks for an urgent referral - such as to diagnose or rule out cancer - or up to a few months for a non-urgent one. Receiving your results may take some time, too, sometimes a few weeks.

Private imaging centres tend to have much shorter waiting times. You may be seen within a few days or a week, regardless of your symptoms, and you’ll generally receive your results within a couple of days. Some patients book private scans to avoid long waiting lists and get their symptoms checked sooner, allowing for more potential treatment options.

What types of medical scans are available?

There are various types of scans. All create detailed images of the inside of the body, and the most appropriate one depends on your symptoms and the body part to be scanned.

What happens during a scan?

It’s understandable if you feel anxious or worried about having a scan. During your appointment, you’ll be looked after by a medical professional, a radiographer - or sonographer for an ultrasound - who is trained to conduct your scan and keep you informed and at ease throughout.

When you arrive, you’ll be provided with a medical gown to change into and a safe place to leave your belongings. Metallic objects cannot be taken into most scanning rooms, so you’ll need to remove jewellery, watches, glasses, and hair clips.

Your radiographer will ask questions about your current health and symptoms. Some scans require a contrast agent that enhances the visibility of certain structures. This is injected into a vein, usually in your arm, before the scan starts.

You’ll be asked to lie down on a bed for a CT or MRI scan, and remain still while the bed moves into the scanner. Ultrasound scans are conducted while you’re lying or sitting on a bed, and your sonographer moves the ultrasound probe over your skin. They might use a gel to lubricate the area and ensure clearer scan images.

Some patients feel anxious about enclosed spaces, the loud noises MRI machines make and the general feeling of having a scan. Your medical team will be on hand to help and make you feel as comfortable as possible. You’ll be able to ask questions via an intercom system, and you’ll be given the option to listen to music or wear earplugs.

Why do I have to wait for my results?

Your radiographer is trained to perform your scan, not to interpret the images. Therefore, they won’t provide you with answers at your scan appointment - with the exception of some sonographers or radiologists who may be able to provide some early findings at an ultrasound appointment.

Scan images are sent to a consultant radiologist, who interprets them and prepares a report. This expertise and care takes time to provide you with a detailed specialist analysis.

What is an imaging report, and who writes it?

An imaging report is a document written by a consultant radiologist summarising what your scan images show. It describes what was seen in the images, highlights anything abnormal, and suggests next steps or further investigations.

This report is sent to the doctor who referred you, who then organises a time to speak with you about it and what it means. You can ask your referring doctor for a copy of your report, and the raw image files can be transferred to the onward care providers.

If you self-refer and have a private scan, you’ll get access to a digital copy of your report that you can send to your NHS or private GP or specialist. Providers like Scan.com offer post-scan consultations to support you with the next steps.

Is there a difference between scan images and a scan report?

Scan images are produced when you have a scan and are a visual representation of what might be going on inside your body. A scan Bericht is a written interpretation of your scan images and what they might mean.

Surgeons and some specialists often wish to view scan images to interpret them, plan surgery, or assess the extent of an injury. GPs usually use a scan report to make a diagnosis or plan treatment as they’re generally not trained to interpret images.

As patients aren’t usually trained to interpret scan images, you’re unlikely to see your own images. If you have a private scan, you’ll be able to share your images with a consultant or doctor who will have the specialist software to open and view them.

What happens after you get your results?

There are a number of possible outcomes once you’ve discussed your scan results with your GP or referring doctor. You may have peace of mind and reassurance that nothing concerning has been found. Or your scan might have highlighted that you need further tests and investigations, a referral to a specialist, or treatment for a condition following a diagnosis.

Early answers and diagnoses open the door to more treatment options, and catching something early can mean better outcomes and less uncertainty.

What if I’m unsure about my results?

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure after receiving your scan results, especially if the findings are worrying or unexpected, or the language used in your report feels clinical and unfamiliar.

If you’re concerned, you have the right to ask questions, request a clearer explanation from your doctor or seek a second opinion from a different doctor.

A second opinion on a scan report means that a different consultant radiologist, independent from the first, takes a look at your scan results - you won’t need another scan - and produces a fresh report.

Second opinion services are designed for patients who need clarity or the confidence that a fresh pair of expert eyes can provide. You can request a second opinion if you’ve had your scan on the NHS or if you’ve had it privately.

It’s worth noting that a second opinion on the NHS is available and supported, though you’ll usually need to join a new queue to see somebody else.

The earlier you know, the sooner you can act

Understanding the process of having a scan makes it less daunting. Getting to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms sooner means more options are available to you if something is wrong, and an early diagnosis gives you more time to consider treatments or make a plan.

Having a scan can also mean getting reassurance earlier, if nothing untoward is found.

Whether you’re waiting for an NHS scan or you’re considering your private options, knowing what to expect and what questions to ask makes a real difference.

Delays in diagnosis cost time, and sometimes they cost treatment options.