If you have never had a private scan before, you might not know what to expect. The good news is that private imaging centres in the UK are comfortable, well-equipped, and staffed by friendly registered radiographers. This guide walks you through a typical appointment from arrival to receiving your results.
Before your appointment
For most scans, you can eat and drink normally beforehand. Exceptions include abdominal and pelvic MRI or ultrasound (fast for 4–6 hours), and some CT scans with contrast (instructions will be in your booking confirmation). Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Leave jewellery at home if possible, as you will need to remove it before an MRI scan.
Arrival and check-in
Arrive 10–15 minutes before your appointment time. You will be greeted by reception and asked to confirm your details. For MRI scans, you will complete (or confirm your online) safety questionnaire, which asks about metal implants, pacemakers, previous surgeries, and any relevant medical history. This is a safety requirement — all answers are confidential.
The scan itself
You will be guided into the scan room by a registered radiographer — a healthcare professional trained specifically in medical imaging. They will explain the procedure, position you correctly, and remain nearby throughout. For MRI, you will lie inside the scanner bore; the machine will make loud rhythmic sounds — earplugs or music headphones are provided. For CT and ultrasound you remain more accessible. For ultrasound, a probe is moved over your skin with a small amount of gel.
During your scan, you will be asked to:
- Lie completely still during each imaging sequence (MRI and CT)
- Hold your breath briefly for certain chest or abdominal sequences
- Inform the radiographer if you feel unwell or uncomfortable at any point
- Avoid wearing deodorant or cosmetics for some breast ultrasound appointments
After the scan
Once the scan is complete you can get dressed, leave the centre, eat, drink, and drive normally. There is no recovery period — unless you received contrast dye or sedation, in which case you should rest for a short period and arrange for someone to drive you home. The radiographer may share initial observations, but the formal written report is produced separately by a consultant radiologist.
Getting your results
Your written radiologist report is delivered to your ScanBook patient portal — typically within 24–48 hours for most scan types. You will receive an email notification when it is ready. Pregnancy and baby scan results are usually available on the day. You can download and share your report with any clinician, and many centres also provide your images on a disc or USB on request.
