How Do You Refer a Patient to ScanAlign?
You can refer a patient to ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging in Harley Street, in three steps. Register as a referrer, complete the online referral form with the clinical question and patient details, then we contact your patient directly to arrange their appointment. No GP letter is needed.
Key takeaways
- Any IRMER-entitled practitioner or referrer can refer a patient for imaging at ScanAlign.
- The referral process is entirely online, with no paper forms required.
- You need the clinical question, the body region and the patient's contact details.
- Reports are shared with you and the patient. Find out how EOS scan results are reported.
- EOS captures weight-bearing, whole-body alignment with about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray.
If you are a clinician looking for standing, weight-bearing imaging for your patient, this page walks you through the private imaging referral process from start to finish. Whether you are a consultant, physiotherapist, osteopath or another qualified practitioner, referring is straightforward.
Who can refer a patient for an EOS scan?
Any practitioner who qualifies as an IRMER referrer can refer a patient for imaging at ScanAlign. This includes doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and podiatrists, among others. You do not need to be an NHS consultant or GP.
- Orthopaedic and spinal surgeons
- GPs and sports medicine doctors
- Physiotherapists
- Osteopaths and chiropractors
- Podiatrists
- Other IRMER-entitled practitioners
- Patients self-booking without a clinical question (a free video consultation covers this)
- Practitioners not entitled under IRMER regulations
- Paediatric referrals (ScanAlign is an adults-only service)
If you are unsure whether your registration qualifies, register to refer patients and the team will confirm your eligibility.
What is the private imaging referral process at ScanAlign?
The process has four simple steps. There is no paper form, no fax and no GP letter required.
Create your practitioner account through the register to refer patients page. You only need to do this once. It takes a couple of minutes and confirms your IRMER referrer status.
Log in and send a referral. Enter your patient's name, contact details, the body region to be imaged, your clinical question and any relevant history. The form guides you through each field.
We reach out to your patient directly to arrange a convenient appointment at 19 Harley Street. They can also check who our scan is suitable for before attending.
After the scan, a specialist radiographer reviews the images. The report is shared with both you and your patient. Read more about how EOS scan results are reported.
What details do you need on an imaging referral form?
A clear, complete referral helps us justify the exposure under IRMER and produce the most useful report for your patient. Here is what to include.
Full name, date of birth, contact number and email so we can arrange the appointment.
What you want the imaging to answer, for example "assess coronal and sagittal alignment pre-operatively" or "investigate leg length discrepancy".
Spine, lower limbs, full body, or a specific area. EOS can capture the whole skeleton in a single standing exposure.
Previous surgery, known conditions, current symptoms and any prior imaging. This helps contextualise the findings.
You do not need to provide a formal referral letter on headed paper. The online form captures everything needed. If you prefer to attach a letter, you can upload one during the referral.
What happens after you refer a patient for imaging?
Once your referral is submitted, we contact the patient to book their appointment. The scan itself takes only a few minutes at our clinic at 19 Harley Street, London.
After the scan, the images are reviewed and a detailed report is produced. That report is sent to you as the referring practitioner and to your patient. You can track the status of your referrals through your practitioner account.
Ready to refer? If you already have a practitioner account, you can send a referral now. If not, register to refer patients first.
Why refer for a standing EOS scan instead of a standard X-ray?
Standard imaging is usually performed with the patient lying down. That position relaxes the muscles and can mask alignment problems that only appear under load. EOS captures the full skeleton in a natural standing position, showing how the spine, pelvis, hips, knees and ankles relate to each other under gravity.
Because the body works as a connected chain, a tilt or shift in one area often causes another area to compensate. Pain may show up far from its actual cause. A standing, whole-body EOS image makes those compensations visible in a way that single-region, lying-down imaging cannot.
EOS also uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. That makes it a practical choice when monitoring alignment over time or when multiple views are needed.
A note on MRI. EOS is excellent for bones, joints and alignment. If your clinical question involves soft tissue, discs or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. The two are complementary, and we are happy to advise on which is most appropriate for your patient.
Frequently asked questions about referring to ScanAlign
No. Any practitioner entitled to refer under IRMER regulations can refer. This includes physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, podiatrists and others, not only doctors.
No. The online referral form captures all the information needed. You do not need a separate GP letter, though you are welcome to attach one if you prefer.
Visit the registration page to create your practitioner account. It takes a couple of minutes and only needs to be done once.
Include the patient's details, your clinical question, the body region to be scanned and any relevant history such as previous surgery or known conditions. The clearer the clinical question, the more targeted the report.
Very little. The patient should wear comfortable clothing without metal fastenings and be able to stand still for a short time. We provide full instructions when the appointment is booked.
EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This makes it particularly suitable when repeated imaging or large-field views are needed.
ScanAlign is a self-pay service. Pricing details are available on our website. The patient pays directly and does not need insurance approval.
The report is sent to you electronically. You can also access it through your practitioner account. Your patient receives a copy as well.
If your patient needs urgent imaging, please contact the clinic directly so we can accommodate the request as quickly as possible. For true emergencies involving neurological symptoms such as sudden weakness, numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control, please direct the patient to A&E or call 999 immediately.
Patients who do not have a referring practitioner can book a free video consultation with ScanAlign. During that consultation, the clinical question is established and eligibility is confirmed before any scan is booked.
Start referring your patients today
Create your practitioner account in minutes and submit your first referral online.
Register to refer patients Send a referralSources
- The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R). UK Statutory Instruments 2017 No. 1322.
- Deschênes S, Charron G, Beaudoin G, et al. Diagnostic imaging of spinal deformities: reducing patients' radiation dose with a new slot-scanning X-ray imager. Spine. 2010;35(9):989-994.
- Royal College of Radiologists. iRefer: Making the best use of clinical radiology. RCR, London.
Written by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.