Imaging and radiology

The cost of having a scan in imaging and radiology will depend on a variety of factors, including what scans are required, how many scans are needed and the reason you are having the test. Call today to speak to our advisors and get a tailored quote based on your personal circumstances.

If you are paying for your own treatment, our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your treatment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 14.9% APR.

If you have private health insurance, imaging and radiology scans may be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.

Imaging and radiology techniques allow doctors to look inside your body. They can help us to find out why you are having symptoms, check for bone breaks and fractures, identify other issues with your physiology, or help our physicians with accuracy during surgery and other treatments.

Our imaging teams work with all other departments at our private hospitals, supporting patients and clinicians across all of our specialities.

Imaging and radiology scans are carried out by our multidisciplinary team, comprising of dedicated radiographers, consultant radiologists, nurses and more.

Our team will strive to reduce your symptoms through effective treatment. Please note that some imaging techniques may not be available in some hospitals.

Some of the most common tests our imaging department performs are:

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan uses soundwaves to create an image of an organ in your body. Ultrasound is a very high-frequency sound that cannot be heard by the human ear but can be detected using a machine called an ultrasound scanner. The ultrasound waves are delivered by a small handheld sensor, which is like a microphone.

As well as being used to monitor an unborn baby in a pregnant woman, ultrasound is also used to highlight congenital heart disease, examine the prostate gland, uterus and ovaries and other organs. Ultrasound is also used during surgery such as biopsies (where the tissue sample is taken for analysis).

MRI scanning

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed, usually 2D images of the inside of your body. MRI scans can show muscles, joints, bone marrow, blood vessels, nerves and other structures within your body.

MRI scanning is one of the safest imaging techniques available and can be used to produce images of almost any part of the body and can produce images from all angles. The detail in these images is so good that a cut as small as 2mm can be seen.

CT scanning

A CT scan is a special type of X-ray test carried out by a radiographer that takes pictures of cross sections or slices of organs and structures in the body. When each slice is put together, it forms a 3D picture of the body.

A CT scan offers detailed views of different tissue types including lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels. CT scans are commonly performed on the head and abdomen. The pictures of a CT scan are more detailed than a typical X-ray.

Bone densitometry (DEXA) scanning

Bone density scanning measures the density of bones and is used to check for signs of osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak and prone to fracture. Scanning for osteoporosis is the only way to find out if you have osteoporosis or if you are likely to develop it.

The most accurate and reliable way to measure your bone density and find out if you have osteoporosis, or if you may develop it in the future, is to have a DEXA scan, which scans your bones. DEXA stands for 'dual energy X-ray absorptiometry'.

X-Ray

X-ray is an imaging technique that is used to show up abnormalities in bones and certain body tissues, such as breast tissue. X-rays usually use low amounts of radiation, so the risk to your health is very small.

They show images of abnormalities that cannot be seen from outside your body, such as broken bones or shadows on the lungs. Depending on what type you’re having, an X-ray should take 15-30 minutes and is carried out by a radiographer.

Nuclear imaging techniques

Nuclear medicine is a branch of diagnostic imaging that investigates functional and physiological conditions. A broad range of health conditions can be tested, understood and diagnosed through nuclear medicine scans. These include issues with organs, bones and tissues.

Procedures offered by our nuclear medicine specialists include:

• SPECT scan
• Amyloid scan
• DMSA scan
• SeHCAT scan
• Myocardial perfusion scan

To book a test or scan with our imaging and radiology department, you usually need to have been referred by a clinician – for example a GP, a consultant or a physiotherapist.

It is possible to self-refer if you are paying for your own treatment, but not in all instances.

For this reason, it’s important to speak directly with one of our advisors in order to make a booking. You can call us, use our live chat, or even use our enquiry form.

Please don’t try to use our online booking to arrange a scan such as an MRI, X-Ray or CT scan. The system is set up to arrange consultations, not diagnostics.

If you think you need tests or scans but aren’t sure which, and would like to get advice from an expert, our advisors will help you find the right consultant for your specific needs.

If you need treatment with Circle Health Group, the first step will usually be an initial consultation with a specialist. The consultant that you will see will depend on your symptoms and the concerns you have. This is a crucial appointment during which your specialist will make or confirm a diagnosis and test for any suspected problems. It's also where we start to get to know you as an individual, which is a really important part of our philosophy.

Your consultant will probably organise a selection of diagnostic tests during this first appointment. Sometimes these can be done on the same day, and sometimes you'll have to come back another day to have them done. It depends on which tests you need. Most of our hospitals have well-equipped imaging departments onsite, so you won't be moving from one site to another.

As well as arranging tests, your consultant will ask you lots of questions about your medical history, your symptoms and what brought you to see us, as well as more personal questions about your lifestyle and interests. We tailor our treatment plans to the individual, so we like to know what's important to you and what you want to get out of your treatment before we make our recommendations.

Once we have the results of your diagnostic tests, your consultant will be able to make a diagnosis and start putting together a treatment plan for you. This will be bespoke to you and they won't make any decisions before discussing them with you in detail.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
• Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Tasty and nutritious meals cooked your dietary requirements
• Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care

If you want to know more about imaging and radiology and find out if it's the right treatment for you, call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in November 2022. Next review due November 2025.