Private mri

teddysmum

I imagine the 'low' prices cover a very small area to be scanned, so whole back, thorax with neck etc would be much more expensive.


I agree with the above that, in my case, the MRI results are examined in the radiography department (our hospital takes up to 8 weeks for this), then passed on to the requesting consultant, who may send results, but no images, to yourself and GP.

missbiggles1

teddysmum wrote: »

I imagine the 'low' prices cover a very small area to be scanned, so whole back, thorax with neck etc would be much more expensive.


I agree with the above that, in my case, the MRI results are examined in the radiography department (our hospital takes up to 8 weeks for this), then passed on to the requesting consultant, who may send results, but no images, to yourself and GP.

OT, but in France (where I spend a lot of time) after you've had an MRI you wait and go over it with the radiographer there and then and you leave with your own copy and others are sent to your GP and consultant who have them in a couple of days.

So much for the NHS being the envy of the world.:(

babyemily

Thank you for all your replies. The hospital I will go to hopefully is only an hour away and does the exact mri scans I need. Hopefully I am being a sausage and will kick myself over the cost afterwards.
I will not be told the results - they will go to the referrer and I will get them from there!! All that money and still have to wait to be told.
Fingers crossed. I will update this thread afterwards for anyone who looks at getting a private mri.

teddysmum

missbiggles1 wrote: »

OT, but in France (where I spend a lot of time) after you've had an MRI you wait and go over it with the radiographer there and then and you leave with your own copy and others are sent to your GP and consultant who have them in a couple of days.

So much for the NHS being the envy of the world.:(

But does it cost ? The NHS is 'free' (well no extra to pay on top of the usual contributions).

ERICS_MUM

Is it really the radiographer who reports on the results, or a radiologist (who is a doctor ) ?

I would say you need to be persistent and kick up a stink if you feel there's something very wrong but can't get anyone to listen. Easy for me to say because I don't mind confrontation !

As a last resort then yes get it done privately even if you have to ask your bank for an overdraft or use a credit card.

Good luck and I hope the outcome is not serious, is easy to treat.

teddysmum

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Is it really the radiographer who reports on the results, or a radiologist (who is a doctor ) ?

I would imagine the latter (hence the long wait), as the radiographer, though skilled and able to spot some obvious things, is not a doctor.

FBaby

An MRI will need to be signed off by a radiologist indeed a trained medical doctor. The radiographer administers the test.
Results will be reviewed within a few days what might take longer is the letter bring typed if no urgent findings are discovered. Most hospitals expect this to be within 5 days but some hospital will struggle with this.

OP what makes yoy think your consultant is wrong? You should really work with them as much as possible. Are they suggesting other tests?

A few years back I had serious concerns that I was showing signs of a progressive illness. My GP want overly concerned and asked me to come back if no better in a few weeks as they do! I did and after the third time said that he still didn't think there was anything to worry about but said he understood I needed clarity so referee me. Consultant did examination and supported GP'S view but again agreed to an MRI so I could be totally reassured. Sure enough test came back fine and within days my symptoms which had been very real disappeared. It was all down to stress but indeed getting the MRI was the right thing to do to allow me to move on.

babyemily

Just an update for you all. Have spoken to my GP who absolutely agrees with my concerns, not because he thinks I have cancer but because there is definitely something there and needs proper investigation.
He has referred me to a consult with a private specialist. He said if a specialist consultant says mri then I can be bounced back to the NHS for it. The consultation is app £200, considerably less. He was willing to refer for mri, he just thinks this is a better avenue for now.
So, for anyone else with concerns this may be a way forward if they are looking for answers.
Hopefully will be seen quite soon and will update as I go.