Can Overseas Patients Get an EOS Scan in London?
Yes. ScanAlign is a private, self-pay clinic, so you do not need a UK GP or NHS referral to book. Overseas patients can self-refer for a standing EOS scan at 19 Harley Street, London. Your report is written in English, and your DICOM images can be shared digitally with your doctor back home.
Key takeaways
- No UK GP referral is needed. You self-refer directly.
- The scan is done standing up, showing real weight-bearing alignment.
- Reports are in English. DICOM images can be sent to your overseas doctor.
- Payment is settled in advance so there is no paperwork on the day.
- EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
If you are travelling to London for medical reasons, or simply want answers while you are here, ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging in Harley Street makes the process straightforward. Everything, from booking to receiving your report, is designed to fit around a short visit.
Do I need a UK GP referral to get a scan in London?
No. ScanAlign is a private clinic and accepts self-referrals. You do not need to be registered with an NHS GP, and you do not need a letter from a UK doctor. You simply book directly.
This is one of the main reasons overseas patients choose private imaging in London. Whether you have been referred by a surgeon in your home country or you are investigating a problem on your own, you can arrange a scan yourself. To check who our scan is suitable for, you can start with a free video consultation before you travel.
Why does a standing scan matter for overseas patients?
A standing scan matters because your body behaves differently under gravity than it does lying down. When you lie in a conventional X-ray, CT or MRI scanner, your muscles relax and your joints settle into a position that may hide the very alignment problem causing your symptoms.
Your body is a connected chain. The feet, knees, hips, pelvis and spine all influence one another. A tilt at the pelvis can create compensatory curves higher up the spine, and pain often appears far from the real cause. An EOS scan captures this full chain in a single standing image, giving your treating clinician the complete picture.
If you are travelling specifically for answers, a standing whole-body image often provides more useful information than repeating the same lying-down scans you may have already had at home.
How do I book an EOS scan from outside the UK?
Booking from abroad follows a simple process. You can arrange everything by video call and email before you travel.
Free video consultation
Start by booking a free video call. We discuss your symptoms, your imaging history and whether a standing EOS scan is the right next step. This can be done from any time zone.
Scheduling and payment
Once confirmed, we book your appointment around your travel dates. Payment is settled in advance so there is no delay on the day. For details on pricing, see our EOS scan cost page.
Attend at 19 Harley Street
The scan itself is quick. You stand in the EOS system while it captures your full alignment. No injections, no contrast dye, and about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Report and images
You receive a detailed English-language report and your DICOM images, which can be shared digitally with your treating clinician anywhere in the world.
Ready to arrange your scan around a London visit? You can enquire from overseas by starting with a free video consultation.
Book a free video consultationWhat do I receive after the scan?
You receive a detailed radiology report written in English, designed to be understood by any orthopaedic surgeon or spinal specialist regardless of where they practise. Alongside the report, you receive your full set of DICOM images, the standard medical imaging format used by hospitals worldwide.
Your data is handled in line with UK data protection law (UK GDPR). Images and reports are stored securely and shared only with you or those you authorise.
Who is this service best suited for?
This service suits any adult who wants high-quality standing alignment imaging during a visit to London. Common reasons include ongoing back, hip or knee problems that have not been fully explained by previous scans, or pre-surgical planning where your surgeon needs a standing weight-bearing image.
- Long-standing back, hip or knee pain not fully explained
- Previous lying-down scans that did not give clear answers
- Pre-surgical planning where a standing image is needed
- Second opinion on posture or alignment
- Suspected soft-tissue, disc or nerve injury (MRI is usually better)
- Urgent symptoms such as sudden weakness or loss of bladder control
- Patients who cannot stand unaided for the scan
A note on MRI. EOS excels at showing bones, joints and whole-body alignment under load. For soft-tissue problems, such as disc herniations, ligament tears or nerve compression, MRI is usually the better tool. If you are unsure which scan you need, the free video consultation is a good place to start.
Important. If you are experiencing sudden numbness, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or any sudden severe symptoms, please seek urgent medical attention. In the UK, contact your nearest A&E or call 111. These symptoms need immediate assessment, not a routine scan.
What practical details should overseas patients know?
The clinic is at 19 Harley Street, central London, a short walk from Oxford Circus and Regent's Park Underground stations. A few things that help international visitors plan:
- Identification. Please bring your passport or a valid photo ID on the day.
- Previous imaging. If you have earlier scans or reports from your home country, bring them (digitally or on disc). They help our radiographer understand your history.
- Travel timing. The scan appointment itself is short, so it can usually be fitted into a single day in London. You do not need to stay overnight for the scan alone.
- Language. The consultation, scan and report are all conducted and written in English.
- Payment. Payment is settled before your appointment, so there are no financial delays on the day.
Frequently asked questions
No. ScanAlign accepts self-referrals. You do not need a UK GP or any NHS registration. You can book directly from overseas.
Yes. The report is written in English and the images are in DICOM format, which is the universal standard used by hospitals worldwide. Your doctor can open them on any medical imaging system.
EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This makes it one of the lowest-dose options for full-body skeletal imaging.
The appointment is short enough to fit into a single day in London. You do not need to stay overnight for the scan itself.
Please bring your passport or a valid photo ID. If you have previous scans or medical reports, bring those too, either digitally or on disc.
Payment is settled in advance of your appointment. For full pricing details, visit our EOS scan cost page.
No. EOS is a standing X-ray system that shows bones, joints and alignment under gravity. MRI is better for soft tissue, discs and nerves. They answer different questions, and sometimes you need both.
Yes. The free video consultation is arranged to suit your schedule, including time zone differences. You can book it before you travel to confirm whether the scan is right for you.
Yes. Your images and report are handled under UK GDPR. They are stored securely and shared only with you or anyone you specifically authorise.
Bring them along. Previous imaging helps our radiographer understand your history and compare findings. A standing EOS scan often reveals alignment details that conventional lying-down scans miss.
Planning a scan during your London visit?
Start with a free video consultation. We will discuss your symptoms, review any previous imaging and confirm whether a standing EOS scan is the right next step.
Book a free video consultationSources
- 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.
- NHS England. "Using NHS services when you visit England." nhs.uk
- The Royal College of Radiologists. "Standards for the reporting and interpretation of imaging investigations." RCR, 2nd edition, 2018.
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.