MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a type of scan that produces a detailed picture of the tissue and organs inside of your body, using strong magnetic fields and radio waves. 

An MRI scan provides precise information about the structure of the joints, soft tissue and bones in the body and is commonly used by doctors to help understand what is causing your illness or pain.   

Yes you can, you can submit a self-referral form and a member of the team will be in touch.

The length of time the scan will take depends on the part of the body being scanned. Generally, scans take anywhere between 15-90 minutes to perform.

Before undertaking the scan, the radiographer will take some information from you and ask you to lie on a bed that will be moved into the scanner.  A computer operates the MRI scanner located in an adjacent room where the radiographer can see the scans and speak to you through an intercom system.  The MRI scanner can make loud, repetitive clicking noises that may last for several minutes during the procedure, this is perfectly normal and you will be given headphones to help cancel it out.

During an MRI scan, the patient should lie down on a table that slides through a large tunnel. A strong magnetic field created by powerful magnets inside the tunnel allow the doctors to see inside your body, previously only possible through surgery.

Before having an MRI scan, you should tell your doctor if you have metal in your body (such as a pacemaker, metal implants or chips) or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In some cases, contrast dye is injected, making tissues and blood vessels show in greater detail, increasing the accuracy of the images.

You will typically receive your results within one to two weeks however this may vary depending on why you are having the MRI and who is reading the results.