The short answer: yes. In Scotland you can book most private MRI scans yourself, without visiting your GP first. This is called self-referral, and at Unirad Diagnostic Imaging in Glasgow it takes less than five minutes online.
How Self-Referral Works
- Choose your scan — select the body part (knee, spine, brain, shoulder and more) on our booking page.
- Complete a short safety questionnaire — a few questions about implants, previous surgery and your symptoms.
- Clinical review — every booking is checked by our clinical team before your appointment. If an MRI is not the right test for your symptoms, we will tell you — and you will not pay for a scan you do not need.
- Attend your appointment — most patients are scanned within the same week, including Saturdays.
Which Scans Can I Self-Refer For?
Most musculoskeletal and neurological scans accept self-referral, including:
- Knee, shoulder, hip, ankle and wrist MRI — from £290
- Spine MRI (cervical, thoracic, lumbar or whole spine)
- Brain MRI
- Multi-region scans (two regions £495, three £695, four £895)
A small number of specialised scans — such as Cardiac MRI and some full-body packages — require a short clinical callback before booking. Breast MRI and certain abdominal studies may need additional clinical information.
What About the Report — Will My GP Accept It?
Every Unirad scan includes a consultant radiologist report within 5 working days, and our reports are accepted by all UK GPs and consultants. Many patients bring their report straight to their NHS GP to fast-track the next step of their care.
If you would like help understanding your results, we also offer an online GP consultation after your scan for £50.
Why Patients Choose Self-Referral
- No waiting for a GP appointment — NHS GP waits in Glasgow can be 2–3 weeks alone
- No referral letter fee from a private GP (£40+ elsewhere)
- Same-week scans — evenings and Saturdays available
- Transparent pricing — from £290, no hidden fees
Book Your Scan Today
You do not need anyone’s permission to get answers about your own body. Book online in minutes at unirad.co.uk/book or call us on 0141 846 9116.
Unirad Diagnostic Imaging, 22 Loanbank Quadrant, Glasgow G51 3HZ. Registered & Regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
