Diagnostics
Waiting for MRI Results on the NHS: Why It Can Take a While
Having the MRI can feel like the end of the wait, but it is usually the start of a second one. After the scan, the images need to be reported, the report has to reach the clinician who asked for it, and then someone has to tell you the result and what happens next. This guide explains those stages. It does not interpret results.
The stages after an MRI
- Reporting: the images are reviewed and a written report is produced.
- Delivery: the report is sent to the clinician who requested the scan (a hospital consultant, or sometimes your GP).
- Review: that clinician reads the report alongside your history and decides the next step.
- Communication: you are told, usually by letter, at a follow-up appointment, by phone, or via your GP or patient portal.
Report ready is not the same as being told
It is common for the report to exist before anyone has discussed it with you. The scanning department usually does not give results directly; it sends them to whoever requested the scan. That clinician's own waiting list for follow-up appointments is a separate queue from the scanner.
This is why someone can have their scan quickly and still wait for a follow-up conversation. That second wait is covered in our guide to waiting after diagnostics.
Who to contact
- If a hospital consultant requested the scan: their secretary or the clinic's booking team.
- If your GP requested it: your GP practice.
- Ask whether the report has been received and reviewed, and how you will be told. Staff may not read out results by phone, but they can usually confirm the stage.
- Check the NHS App or your hospital's patient portal; some trusts share letters and results there.
How long should results take?
We do not quote a standard time for MRI results. It varies by hospital, by the urgency of the request, and by how the result is communicated. If you were given a timeframe when the scan was booked and it has passed, that is a reasonable point to contact the requesting team.
NHS England publishes how long people wait for the MRI scan itself. It does not publish a national figure for how long results take.
This guide explains administrative processes only. If your symptoms change or get worse while you wait, contact your GP, NHS 111, or the clinical team named on your letter.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers first. Tap a question to read more.
Can the radiographer tell me my MRI result on the day?
Usually not. Radiographers carry out the scan; the report is produced afterwards and sent to the clinician who requested it.
Does no news mean my MRI was normal?
You should not assume either way. Silence usually reflects which queue the result is in. Contact the team that requested the scan to confirm the stage.
Can I ask for a copy of my MRI report?
You can ask the hospital for a copy of your records, including reports. Some trusts also share documents in the NHS App or a patient portal.
Is there published data on MRI waiting times?
Yes, for the wait to have the scan. Our MRI data page shows NHS England's published figures. There is no national published figure for results turnaround.
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Sources & references3
Reviewed against publicly available NHS England RTT guidance and the NHS Constitution.
Editorial transparency
How this guide was put together
- Reviewed against the latest publicly available NHS England RTT statistics and guidance.
- Written and edited by the NHSWaitHelper editorial team.
- Cross-checked against the NHS Constitution and operational guidance.
- Independent — no paid hospital rankings, no hidden sponsorship.
NHSWaitHelper is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the NHS. We do not provide medical or legal advice. Always speak to your GP, clinician, or a regulated adviser about your individual circumstances.