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MRI scans are performed by MRI technologists, who are highly trained. They will explain the procedure beforehand and ask you to remove any jewelry, glasses, dentures, belts, and personal items like wallets before they invite you into the scanning room.

During the scan, you will need to lie very still on a motorized flat bed, which moves in and out of the cylindrical scanner. MRI scans take around 30 minutes, depending on the area being scanned. Some scans require contrast material to help generate more defined images. This is a type of injection given to you during the scan.

The technologist will leave the room and speak to you via headphones during the scan. The scanner is noisy - this is completely normal, but you will usually be able to listen to music or be given earplugs to help you relax.

MRI scans are safe and non-invasive, and no special preparations are needed. You can eat normally and take your prescribed medications as usual. You might need to complete some paperwork at the imaging center, and you may wish to ask some questions before your scan starts, so we kindly ask you to arrive at least ten minutes early for your appointment.

The scanner's strong magnets can interact with metal objects, so we recommend wearing soft, comfortable clothing with no metal fastenings. You will be asked to remove glasses, belts, watches, jewelry, dentures, and hearing aids. You might be asked to change into a medical gown.

If you’re pregnant or have anything metallic in your body, it’s important to let us know ahead of time, as an MRI scan may not be suitable for your circumstances.

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and uses strong magnets and radio waves to create high-quality images of the inside of your body. An MRI machine looks like a cylinder or tunnel with a motorized table that moves you in and out of it.

It is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique and doesn’t use X-rays or ionizing radiation. An MRI scan provides detailed images of organs, soft tissues, muscles, and bones inside the body. These images are read and interpreted by a specially trained doctor called a radiologist, and they provide a written report of their findings alongside the image files.