MRI scanning

Due to the strong magnetic field used by the scanner, people with certain types of medical implants or devices may not be able to be scanned. For example, people fitted with some types of pacemakers, certain metal implants, or who have had a previous injury to the eyes involving metal fragments. 

If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, please call the department ahead of your appointment: 

• Do you have limited mobility and will need assistance to get on and off the scanner? 

• Will you need an interpreter? (We are not able to use family members or friends to interpret) 

• Is there any possibility that you may be pregnant? All patients from 12-55 years of age (regardless of gender) will be asked about the possibility of them being pregnant. 

• Do you require hospital transport via your GP? 

• Are you severely claustrophobic? We can contact your referrer who in some circumstances may prescribe medication to help you relax. 

Due to the strong magnetic field used by the scanner, people with certain types of medical implants or devices may not be able to be scanned. For example, people fitted with some types of pacemakers, certain metal implants, or who have had a previous injury to the eyes involving metal fragments. 

If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, please call the department ahead of your appointment: 

• Do you have limited mobility and will need assistance to get on and off the scanner? 

• Will you need an interpreter? (We are not able to use family members or friends to interpret) 

• Is there any possibility that you may be pregnant? All patients from 12-55 years of age (regardless of gender) will be asked about the possibility of them being pregnant. 

• Do you require hospital transport via your GP? 

• Are you severely claustrophobic? We can contact your referrer who in some circumstances may prescribe medication to help you relax. 

Due to the strong magnetic field used by the scanner, people with certain types of medical implants or devices may not be able to be scanned. For example, people fitted with some types of pacemakers, certain metal implants, or who have had a previous injury to the eyes involving metal fragments. 

If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, please call the department ahead of your appointment: 

• Do you have limited mobility and will need assistance to get on and off the scanner? 

• Will you need an interpreter? (We are not able to use family members or friends to interpret) 

• Is there any possibility that you may be pregnant? All patients from 12-55 years of age (regardless of gender) will be asked about the possibility of them being pregnant. 

• Do you require hospital transport via your GP? 

• Are you severely claustrophobic? We can contact your referrer who in some circumstances may prescribe medication to help you relax. 

You will not be able to wear anything inside the scanner room that contains any metal. This includes zips, metal buttons, poppers or metallic print.

Please wear suitable clothes to your appointment or bring them with you to change into. If required, we will provide you a hospital gown. Some makeup products also contain metal particles and should be avoided. 

You will be provided with a locker to store your metal items, watch, credit cards etc but please leave any unnecessary valuables at home. The Trust does not accept responsibility for any lost or stolen items. 

You will lie on a flat table inside the scanner (a large hollow tube open at both ends) for the scan. You may have pads, cushions or supports placed around you to make you more comfortable for the scan, and a ‘receiving device’ like an aerial may be placed on or around the part of the body being examined. The scanner is very loud and makes lots of different unusual noises and earplugs or earphones will be given to you (these sometimes allow us to play music for you during your scan, but not always). 

Please refer to your appointment letter or see the relevant procedure information letter below for more information. 

MRI scans do not use radiation and are a safe painless imaging technique with no known risks providing the safety questionnaire is correctly completed.

Some scans involve use of a contrast agent to enhance the imaging, please refer to your appointment letter, or the relevant procedure information letter below for information specific to your scan. 

The results of your scan will not be given to you immediately after the scan.

The images will be interpreted by a radiologist (doctor specialising in medical imaging) and sent back to your consultant or GP who referred you for the scan.

The result will be sent to your referring doctor which can take up to four weeks.