Private CT

What is included in a private CT scan price? (2026)

What the published private CT prices in England include, and what they leave out.

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

Last reviewed 5 October 2026 by Pete, editor (not a clinician). Prices checked 5 October 2026.

Of the centres we checked on 5 October 2026, Vista Health and Scan.com say the report is included; Nuffield Health calls its prices all-inclusive. Others did not say. Contrast and a referral appointment can be extra. Prices ran from £359 to £873 for one area. NHS England DM01, July 2026: 9.9% of CT waiters had waited six weeks or more.

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What each private CT price says it includes, centres' own pages, checked 5 October 2026
Centre typeFrom-priceContrast extraReport includedReferral ruleSource URLDate checked
Online booking service (partner scanning sites) (Scan.com)From £359 (the same page also says from £360); varies by site and body partNot statedYes. Digital radiologist's report; results estimated at 7 to 10 working daysNo GP letter needed. Its own clinicians assess you and write the referraluk.scan.com5 October 2026
Independent imaging centre (Queen Square Imaging Centre, London WC1)From £420; fixed quote for the exact scanNot statedReport to your referring doctor within 1 working day; the page does not say whether it is in the from-priceReferral from a GP or consultant needed by law, the centre says. A partner private GP service can referqueensquare.com5 October 2026
Private hospital (Pall Mall Medical, Newton-le-Willows)From £430 one area; £550 two; £670 threeNot priced on the pageNot stated. The page says a radiologist reviews the images and a private GP calls you with resultsNo NHS GP letter needed. A free consultation with its own private GP creates the referral, which a radiographer vetspallmallmedical.co.uk5 October 2026
Dedicated imaging centre group (Vista Health)£445 one part; £640 two; £835 three+£125 if contrast is requiredYes. Consultant radiologist report to your GP or referrer within 3 working daysReferral needed (GP, consultant, doctor, or registered physio, osteopath or chiropractor). Its own private GP can refer, for an extra chargevista-health.co.uk5 October 2026
Hospital group (Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital, Leamington Spa)Guide price £562 one partNot statedNot stated on this pageReferral letter from a GP or consultant needed before bookingnuffieldhealth.com5 October 2026
Hospital group (Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital)Guide price £650 one partNot statedResults sent to your referrer within a week; the page calls its prices all-inclusiveReferral from a healthcare professional needednuffieldhealth.com5 October 2026
Hospital group (Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital)£873 one area; £1,091 two; £1,373 three (guide)+£152 (one area with contrast £1,020)Not stated on this pageImaging referral from a GP or consultant needed; no self-referral. A consultant appointment there costs about £200nuffieldhealth.com5 October 2026
  • "Not stated" means the page we read did not say. It does not mean the item is missing. Ask the centre before you pay.
  • Vista lists CT in Central London, Milton Keynes, Hemel Hempstead, Salford, Birmingham and Bristol.
  • Nuffield Health calls these guide prices; it gives a final price once your referral has been reviewed.

Each row is the centre's own published figure, read by Pete on 5 October 2026. We list rows in price order, not as a ranking. We do not average prices. A centre can change a price at any time; its own quote is what counts. We delete a row we cannot re-check. A listed centre is not a partner of ours. Full list 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.

Is the radiologist's report included?

Check every time. On 5 October 2026, Vista Health said its CT service includes a report by a specialist consultant radiologist, returned to your GP or referrer within three working days. Scan.com said its price includes a digital radiologist's report. Queen Square Imaging Centre said a radiologist reports to your referring doctor within one working day, but did not say whether that is in the from-price. Pall Mall Medical said it sends you a copy of the report and a private GP calls you with results, without saying whether that is priced separately.

Is the referral included?

Sometimes. Scan.com said its price includes a pre-scan phone consultation with a clinician and a referral. Pall Mall Medical said its consultation with its own private GP is free. Vista Health charges extra if its own private GP refers you. Nuffield Health Leeds quotes about £200 for a consultant appointment. Every centre still needs a referral, and a centre can say no. Read referral.

Is contrast included?

Usually not where it is priced. Vista Health adds £125 and Nuffield Health Leeds adds £152. Contrast is not for everyone, and a kidney-function check may come first. Read contrast.

What does an all-inclusive guide price mean?

Nuffield Health Warwickshire and Brighton list pre-assessment, the scan and post-discharge care as included, and say their prices are all-inclusive. They also call the figure a guide price and say the final price follows once your referral has been reviewed. Ask for the final price in writing.

Who gets the results, and when?

It differs. Vista Health and Queen Square send the report to your referrer. Nuffield Health Brighton says results go to your referring healthcare professional within a week. Scan.com estimates seven to ten working days. The NHS says CT results usually take one to two weeks. A report is not a diagnosis; your referrer explains it.

Does a private CT scan price include the report?

Sometimes. Vista Health and Scan.com say it does, and Nuffield Health calls its prices all-inclusive. Other pages we read on 5 October 2026 did not say. Ask before you pay.

Do I pay extra for the referral?

It depends on the centre. Scan.com includes a clinician consultation and referral, Pall Mall Medical says its private GP consultation is free, and Vista Health charges for its own GP.

Is contrast included in a private CT price?

Not where it is priced. Vista Health adds £125 and Nuffield Health Leeds £152, checked 5 October 2026.