Information regarding MRI waiting times

If you have already been referred for an MRI to a mainland centre, you do not need to ask your GP or healthcare professional for a new referral. The NHS Western Isles MRI team are reviewing all existing referrals and, where your scan can safely and appropriately be carried out locally, you will be allocated an appointment at the Eileanan Siar MRI Care Centre, otherwise a mainland referral will be arranged.  If you have already received an appointment for a mainland based MRI, please continue to attend that appointment.

There are currently almost 150 patients waiting for an MRI scan, from as far back as June, that have previously been referred to the mainland prior to the new local service commencing. The team will be working through this wait list as quickly as possible. We hope to significantly reduce the current waiting list over the next four weeks, although this will depend on the number of urgent referrals received, as urgent and clinically time-sensitive cases will continue to be prioritised.

Once the initial waiting list has been addressed, our aim is for patients to normally receive an MRI appointment within approximately two to three weeks of referral. This will, however, be dependent on overall demand for the new local service and the number of urgent cases requiring priority.