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Understanding MRI Scans

Private MRI in Cambridge: Waiting Times and What to Expect

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When you're waiting for a scan, time can feel like it's standing still. Whether you're managing a painful injury, monitoring a known condition, or simply want answers about a worrying symptom, a long wait adds stress at exactly the moment you want clarity. It's one of the main reasons people in and around Cambridge look to private MRI.

This guide covers what you can expect from a private MRI at Momentm Health: how quickly you can be seen, where to find us, and how the process works from booking to results.

Why people choose private MRI

NHS imaging is excellent, but demand is high and waiting lists for diagnostic scans have grown considerably in recent years. For some conditions, a wait of weeks or longer can be difficult, both practically and emotionally, especially when a diagnosis is needed to guide treatment or to make a decision about surgery.

Private MRI offers an alternative. By booking privately, you can usually be scanned far sooner, receive your results quickly, and move forward with whatever comes next. For many people, the value lies less in the scan itself and more in the speed and certainty it brings.

How quickly can you be seen?

Speed is at the heart of what Momentm Health offers. Rather than waiting weeks for an appointment, you can typically book a scan within days, at a time that suits you, through our online portal.

Reporting is fast too. Our consultant team reviews your scan and aims to share your results within a short, defined timeframe, so you're not left waiting once the scan is done. [Turnaround time to be confirmed for the relevant period.] For anyone managing ongoing treatment or waiting on a decision, that quick turnaround can make a real difference.

No referral needed

One of the things that makes private MRI at Momentm Health so quick is that, for our core scans, you don't need a referral. You can book directly through our online portal, choosing your scan and a time that suits you, rather than waiting for a GP appointment to arrange one first.

If you do have a referral from your GP or another clinician, we're happy to work with it. Either way, the route to being scanned is short. There are some sensible eligibility rules, particularly around age, and our team can talk you through anything you're unsure about when you book.

Where to find us

Momentm Health is located at Magog Court, just off Hinton Way in Great Shelford, on the southern edge of Cambridge. It's an easy location to reach:

The clinic is also easily reached from London and across the wider region, making it a convenient option well beyond Cambridge itself.

From booking to results: what to expect

The process is designed to be simple from start to finish:

  1. Book online. Choose your scan and an appointment time that suits you through our booking portal. For our core scans you can do this without a referral, though we're happy to work with one if you have it.
  2. Complete your safety questionnaire. Because MRI uses a strong magnetic field, you'll answer some safety questions beforehand so we can make sure the scan is right for you.
  3. Attend your scan. On the day, you'll be looked after by our team. The scan itself is painless and usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being examined.
  4. Receive your results. Your images and a report from our consultant team are shared with you, and with your GP or healthcare provider on request, so your wider care stays joined up.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can I get a scan? You can usually book within days through our online portal, at a time that suits you, rather than waiting weeks for an appointment.

How long do results take? Our consultant team reports scans quickly and shares your results with you within 48 hours*, and with your GP or healthcare provider on request. 

Do I need a referral? For our core scans you can book directly without a referral. If you have one from your GP or another clinician, we're happy to work with it.

Is there parking at the clinic? Yes, there's free on-site parking at Magog Court, and the clinic is also accessible by Park and Ride, bus and cycle path.

Will my insurance cover it? Many private health insurance policies cover MRI, though coverage varies. It's worth checking your policy details and any pre-authorisation requirements with your insurer.

Fast, accessible MRI at Momentm Health in Cambridge

If you're weighing up a private MRI in Cambridge, Momentm Health offers a fast, accessible and consultant-led service, without the long waits. A convenient location and rapid results mean you can get the answers you need and move forward.

Book a Scan, or get in touch to find out more about MRI at Momentm Health.

Turnaround times vary by scan type and are confirmed at the time of booking.