RESULTS
Who reads your scan, and what happens next
A scan is only useful if someone explains it. Every scan is reported by a consultant radiologist and reviewed by your GP.
The report
Your images are read by a consultant radiologist — a doctor who specialises in interpreting scans — who writes a formal report. Reports usually reach us within a few working days, sooner for urgent findings.
Your GP call
Your GP reads the report and calls you to explain what it shows in plain language, what it means for your symptoms, and what should happen next: reassurance, treatment, a specialist referral or a further test. You also get a written summary.
If something significant is found
We contact you the same day wherever possible. Your GP will explain the finding and arrange the next step. Where a result needs urgent NHS action — a suspected cancer pathway, for example — we telephone your NHS practice ourselves and send them the report. In every other case you receive the report as a password-protected PDF and can hand it to your GP at your next appointment.
Incidental findings
Detailed scans sometimes show things unrelated to the reason for the scan: cysts, small nodules, changes that turn out to be harmless. Some need follow-up, most do not. Your GP will explain what is worth acting on. This is worth thinking about before a full body screen.
Your images
Most centres give you access to your images, on a disc or through an online portal. Ask the centre on the day.
- Referral sent: same day as your GP call
- Centre contacts you: a few working days
- Report to us: usually within a few working days of the scan
- GP results call: as soon as the report arrives
Timings vary by centre and scan. We chase anything that runs late.