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How long do private CT scan results take?

The report times centres publish, who gets the report, and who explains it to you.

  • England
  • Independent
  • Not a clinic
  • Not the NHS

Last reviewed 14 October 2026 by Pete, editor (not a clinician). Report times checked 14 October 2026.

It depends on the centre. A radiologist writes a report and sends it to whoever referred you. On 14 October 2026, centre pages we opened gave times from the same day if urgent, or 24 hours (The London Clinic), to an estimated 7 to 10 working days (Scan.com). The NHS website says NHS scans usually take 1 to 2 weeks. See CT scan cost.

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CT report times centres publish, and who gives you the results, centres' own pages, checked 14 October 2026
Centre typeReport time statedWho gets the report and explains itFrom-priceSource URLDate checked
Private hospital group (HCA UK, London, Birmingham and Manchester)A report for your consultant within 48 hoursYour consultant. If no follow-up is booked, you contact your consultant to arrange oneNot on the pagehcahealthcare.co.uk14 October 2026
Private hospital (Pall Mall Medical, Newton-le-Willows)No time statedA radiologist reviews the images; the page says a private GP will call you to go through your resultsFrom £430 one areapallmallmedical.co.uk14 October 2026
Private hospital group (Phoenix Hospital Group, Harley Street and Chelmsford)Results sent within 24 to 48 hoursYour referring doctor or consultant, who discusses next steps with youNot on the pagephoenixhospitalgroup.com14 October 2026
Independent imaging centre (Queen Square Imaging Centre, London WC1)Written report to your doctor within 1 working day; images viewable on its patient portal straight after the scanYour referring doctor or consultantFrom £420; fixed quote for the exact scanqueensquare.com14 October 2026
Online booking service (partner scanning sites) (Scan.com)Estimated 7 to 10 working days; varies by scanning centre and can be quickerIts own clinicians review the report and call you, then email you a PDF copyFrom £359 (the same page also says from £360); report includeduk.scan.com14 October 2026
Private hospital group (Spire Healthcare)No time stated on the CT page; the radiographer tells you when to expect resultsResults always go to your referrer; you arrange a follow-up with themNot on the pagespirehealthcare.com14 October 2026
Private hospital (The London Clinic, London W1)Typically reported the same day if clinically urgent, otherwise within 24 hoursYour referring consultant, at a follow-up appointment or consultationNot on the pagethelondonclinic.co.uk14 October 2026
Dedicated imaging centre group (Vista Health)Consultant radiologist report to your GP or referrer within three working daysYour GP or referrer£445 one part; report includedvista-health.co.uk14 October 2026
  • The NHS website says NHS CT results usually take 1 to 2 weeks, and can take up to 4 weeks depending on how urgent the scan is and where you live (nhs.uk, checked 14 October 2026).
  • A report time is when the report is written or sent. Hearing your result depends on your referrer.

Each row is the centre's own published wording, read by Pete on 14 October 2026. Rows are in alphabetical order, not a ranking. A centre can change its times at any time; what it tells you when you book is what counts. We delete a row we cannot re-check. A listed centre is not a partner of ours. More on Sources.

What should you know before you ask for a CT?

This is not medical advice. We cannot tell you whether you need a CT scan. CT uses ionising radiation, so the law says every scan must be justified: a practitioner at the centre must decide the benefit outweighs the risk, using the details your referrer supplies (IR(ME)R 2017). No centre can promise a scan without that check, and a centre can say no. Some centres ask their own clinician to confirm the scan is appropriate. Many still want a letter from your GP or a specialist.

Insured scans need a referral and pre-authorisation from your insurer before you book. Contrast dye is often extra and is not for everyone. A centre may ask for a kidney-function blood test first, and you should tell it about allergies, kidney problems or diabetes medicine.

Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, signs of a stroke, a head injury, or coughing up blood are not for this website or its form. Call 999.

How do you get a private CT scan in four steps?

  1. Body area. Name the one area to be scanned. Each extra area usually costs more.
  2. Referral rule. Check who will refer you: your GP or specialist, or the centre's own clinician. Read referral.
  3. What the price includes. Ask whether the report, contrast and any consultation are in the price. See cost.
  4. Ask one centre to contact you. Use the form. Nothing is booked until you agree a time and price with the centre.

Why is the report time not the day you hear your results?

The time a centre publishes is usually for the radiologist's written report, and that report goes to the person who referred you. You hear the result when they pass it on. On the pages we read on 14 October 2026:

  • A follow-up with your referrer. Spire Healthcare and HCA UK say you may need to book a follow-up appointment with your referrer or consultant to get your results.
  • A call from the centre's own doctor. Scan.com's clinicians call you to discuss the report. Pall Mall Medical says a private GP calls you.
  • Images before the report. Queen Square Imaging Centre lets you view your images on a portal straight after the scan. Images are not a result: the written report is what your referrer uses.

So ask two questions when you book: when will the report be ready, and who will talk you through it, and when?

What can make CT results take longer?

Several things, none of which we control. Some times are in working days, so a scan late in the week or before a bank holiday can take longer in calendar days. Scan.com says its time varies by scanning centre. Spire Healthcare does not give a time on its CT page and says the radiographer will tell you when to expect results. The wait for a follow-up appointment with your referrer can also add days.

What happens if the scan shows something urgent?

The centre and your referrer deal with it, not us. We do not see your scan or your report, and we cannot tell you what a result means. The London Clinic says it reports clinically urgent CT scans on the same day. If you are worried about a result, contact the doctor who referred you.

If you become suddenly unwell while you wait, with chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, signs of a stroke, a head injury, or coughing up blood, do not wait for a report or use this website. Call 999 or go to A&E.

Is the report included in the price?

Not always, so check. On 14 October 2026, Vista Health said its CT service includes a specialist consultant radiologist's report, and Scan.com said its package includes a digital radiologist's report. Queen Square Imaging Centre gave a report time but did not say whether the report is in its from-price. See what the price includes and CT scan cost.

Is it quicker if you self-refer?

Not always. A self-referral route adds steps: a clinician has to assess you and write the referral before the scan, and may call you about the report afterwards. Scan.com, which refers you itself, estimated 7 to 10 working days for results. Read self-referral for a private CT and referral to see how each route works.

What should you do if you hear nothing?

Contact the person who referred you first, then the centre. Ask whether the report has been written and who it was sent to. For NHS scans, the NHS website says to contact the doctor who referred you if you have not heard anything after 4 weeks, checked 14 October 2026.

Questions and answers

How long does a private CT report take?

It depends on the centre. On 14 October 2026, The London Clinic said the same day if clinically urgent, otherwise within 24 hours. Queen Square Imaging Centre said within 1 working day, Phoenix Hospital Group 24 to 48 hours, HCA UK within 48 hours, Vista Health within three working days, and Scan.com estimated 7 to 10 working days.

Who tells me my CT results?

Usually the person who referred you. The radiologist's report goes to your GP, your consultant, or the centre's own clinician, and they explain it and any next steps. Private CT does not see your results and cannot explain them.

Are NHS CT results slower than private ones?

Often. The NHS website says it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to get NHS CT scan results, and it can take up to 4 weeks depending on how urgent the scan is and where you live, checked 14 October 2026. The private centres we checked stated between the same day and 10 working days.