Lengthy NHS waiting lists are driving increasing numbers of people towards private diagnostic services for quicker health assessments
Lucy Addicott, Rachael Davis and Nisha Mal
11:33, 21 Jan 2026
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Scan.com offers a range of options for those interested in checking their health(Image: Getty Images)
Prolonged NHS waiting times are pushing growing numbers of individuals towards faster options for health checks, particularly as many set new wellness goals for 2026. Whilst health-focused resolutions consistently rank highly on yearly lists, convenience and availability remain substantial barriers to achieving them.
This is where private scanning services like Scan.com are bridging the divide with costs starting from £300. Designed to bypass the delays and complexities often associated with conventional referral routes, the platform allows people to book medical scans directly, giving them control over their healthcare without waiting months.
Scan.com is a UK-based platform providing access to private diagnostic imaging, including MRI, ultrasound and CT scans, performed at trusted hospital locations nationwide. Appointments are typically available quickly, with clinical guidance offered throughout the complete process, from initial reservation through to result delivery, the Mirror reports.
“Our goal is to remove the friction people often feel when trying to prioritise their health,” says Dr Lizzie Tuckey, practising clinician and Managing Director at Scan.com. “Whether someone has a specific worry or just wants to feel more in control, we make it simple to take the first step and make confident decisions about what comes next.”
Whether you’re dealing with discomfort, injuries, headaches or digestive issues, the service can be used for diagnostic scans to help uncover what’s going on, according to the company. MRI and ultrasound scans are often chosen for these problems, providing insights that can inform further steps or provide reassurance.
Private scanning services are available from Scan.com
From £300
Scan.com
Scan.com is a UK-based platform that provides access to private diagnostic scans, including MRI, ultrasound and CT scans, carried out in trusted hospital locations nationwide
Scan.com also offers preventative scans for those wanting a more in-depth understanding of their health before any symptoms appear. Options include DEXA body composition scans to track changes in muscle and fat, cardiac evaluations for those with a family history of heart disease, and breast screening for women aged 40 and over.
For a comprehensive analysis, a full-body MRI scan examines the body from head to pelvis to detect potential issues early. The platform also provides other services such as heart health checks, including MRI, CT scans, angiograms and echocardiograms, as well as spine assessments for ongoing back pain or posture issues.
Moreover, there are specific screenings like prostate MRI scans, which can be more accurate than PSA blood tests, and mammogram screenings available from age 40 to support early detection. If anyone is unsure about the right scan, they can arrange a consultation with one of Scan.com’s resident clinicians, who can assess symptoms and recommend appropriate options.
MRI, CT scans, angiograms and echocardiograms are all options on the website(Image: scan.com)
No GP referral is required, there are no waiting lists, and appointments can be booked at over 250 imaging centres across the country, according to the provider. Results are typically delivered within days, allowing people to move from uncertainty to informed choices more quickly.
Alternatively, Bupa offers health assessments from £269. The private healthcare firm provides six different health assessments, guaranteeing there’s an option for everyone, with remote checks available from home.
Vista Health also offers full body MRI scans, which can examine the head and brain, abdomen and pelvis, spine and heart. Each package includes a detailed report and access to all scan images, with prices ranging from £765 to £1,845.
Scan.com has garnered positive reviews on Trustpilot, garnering a 4.6 out 3,500 reviews. One customer simply wrote: “Fast and affordable.” Another individual left a more detailed review, stating: “I am extremely happy with the service I received from Scan.com UK. From booking, to receiving my first pre-scan consultation was only 2 hours. The scan was done in an NHS hospital on a Sunday afternoon, for a fraction of the price it would have cost me to go to my local private hospital.
“The staff were great, the service was fast and the follow-up consultation (which I paid an extra £50 for) was within 48 hours of the scan. The initial phone call and follow up were both with the same person who was assigned to me at booking, which gave me continuity of care that’s rare in the NHS these days.
Users have rated the platform highly on Trustpilot(Image: scan.com)
“Although I self referred, I did upload evidence of my conditions from a consultant, who had asked for me to be referred for an MRI months back (which was never actioned). I believe that uploading this document assisted in knowing what needed to be looked at on the MRI, but was in no way affected the process (the scan was thorough and noted things not mentioned in my prior report). I’ve already recommended this company to friends and family, and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again should a health condition call for it.
“If you’re stuck on the NHS hunger games waiting lists, going around in circles and feeling like you’ve fallen through the cracks like I did, I feel that investing (in) the cost of an MRI with this company (and a follow-up consultation if you can) will give you peace of mind and choices.”
A different customer praised the experience, saying: “Super impressed with the service. Booked online on Saturday, phone call within 1 hour to confirm details. Further call on Monday to book the actual appointment. MRI appointment/scan on Wednesday. Results and telephone call to discuss on Thursday. Can’t believe the speed of the service. I highly recommend it.”
That said, some minor issues were highlighted by other users, with one person observing: “The scan experience was very efficient and all explained well. The clinician contacted me with an overview within two days. Images were sent to me on the same day but not the written report, which I had to request the next day.”
Overall, the response was favourable, with one person remarking: “Great to get a scan within days and the results a day or so later. Very calm and professional service.”