Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a Private Scan in London?
No. At ScanAlign, private standing imaging, you do not need a referral from your doctor to book a scan. You can refer yourself. However, every scan that uses radiation must be clinically justified under UK law (IRMER). ScanAlign's own practitioner reviews your case before any scan goes ahead.
Key takeaways
- You can refer yourself for a standing EOS scan at ScanAlign without a letter from your doctor.
- UK law (IRMER) requires every scan using radiation to be clinically justified by a qualified practitioner.
- Clinicians such as physiotherapists, osteopaths and consultants can also refer you directly.
- A free video consultation lets the team check if the scan suits you before you travel to London.
- Your doctor can receive a copy of the report if you choose.
Can I book a scan myself without a referral?
Yes. You can book a scan yourself. Many private imaging clinics, including ScanAlign, accept self-referrals from adults. You do not need a letter from your doctor or a consultant before booking. This is common across private healthcare in the UK.
Self-referral simply means you contact the clinic directly and explain why you want the scan. The clinic's qualified team then decides whether it is appropriate. If you have been dealing with long-standing back, hip or knee pain and want answers, you do not have to wait for someone else to arrange the imaging for you.
What is IRMER and why does it matter for your scan?
IRMER stands for the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations. It is UK law that protects you whenever a scan uses radiation, including X-rays and CT. Under IRMER, every medical exposure must be clinically justified. That means a qualified practitioner must confirm there is a valid clinical reason for the scan before it happens.
At ScanAlign, our specialist diagnostic radiographer acts as the IRMER practitioner. During your free video consultation, your case is reviewed and the clinical justification is established. If a scan is not appropriate for your situation, the team will tell you honestly. This process is not a barrier. It is a safeguard that makes sure every scan is genuinely useful to you.
This is why "self-referral" does not mean "no questions asked." You can start the process yourself, but a qualified professional always assesses your case first.
Who can refer me for a private scan?
Apart from referring yourself, a range of healthcare professionals can refer you directly. You do not have to go through your family doctor first.
Can write a referral letter or simply ask you to book directly.
Orthopaedic and spine consultants often request standing alignment imaging.
Your physiotherapist can refer you if imaging would help guide your treatment plan.
Manual therapists can refer when they need a full alignment picture.
If you are a clinician and want to refer patients, you can register to refer patients through ScanAlign's referral portal.
How does booking work without a doctor's referral?
The process is simple. You do not need any paperwork to get started.
You get in touch
You can start your booking online or by phone. You tell us briefly what is going on and what you hope to find out.
Free video consultation
A specialist diagnostic radiographer reviews your case by video call, so you can do this from home before you travel. This step fulfils the clinical justification required by IRMER. There is no charge for this consultation.
Scan at 19 Harley Street
If the scan is appropriate, you come to 19 Harley Street, London, for your standing EOS imaging. The scan itself takes only a few minutes.
Report delivered
Your report is sent to you. If you wish, a copy can also be sent to your doctor, consultant or treating clinician.
To check whether our scan is right for your situation, see who our scan is suitable for.
How does self-referral compare to a referral from your doctor?
Both routes lead to the same scan and the same report. The main difference is who starts the process.
| Self-referral | Doctor or clinician referral | |
|---|---|---|
| Who starts it | You contact ScanAlign directly | Your doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or consultant contacts us (or gives you a letter) |
| Referral letter needed? | No | Helpful but not essential |
| Clinical justification | Provided by ScanAlign's IRMER practitioner during your video consultation | Supported by the referring clinician's notes, confirmed by ScanAlign |
| Report sent to | You (plus your doctor or clinician if you choose) | You and your referring clinician |
| Cost | Same either way. The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation. See our frequently asked questions for more. | |
A note on MRI. EOS imaging shows bones, joints and whole-body alignment in a standing position. It uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. For soft-tissue problems such as discs, ligaments or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. Some private MRI providers also accept self-referrals. If you are unsure which scan you need, the free video consultation will help you decide.
Before you start a treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in your pelvis, your legs or your spine changes what will actually help.
Not sure if you need a referral? Book a free video consultation. There is no obligation and no charge. If a scan is not right for you, we will tell you honestly.
Book a free video consultationFrequently asked questions about referrals
No. You can refer yourself to ScanAlign. During a free video consultation, our specialist diagnostic radiographer handles the clinical justification required by UK law (IRMER).
IRMER is UK law. It requires a qualified practitioner to confirm there is a valid clinical reason before any scan using radiation. At ScanAlign, this is built into the booking process, so you do not need to do anything extra.
Yes. Physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and consultants can all refer you. They can register through our referral portal or simply give you a letter.
No. The cost is the same whether you refer yourself or a clinician refers you. The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation. You can also visit our frequently asked questions page.
Only if you ask us to send it. You are always the main recipient of your report. You can choose to share it with your doctor, consultant or any other treating clinician.
If our practitioner decides the scan is not appropriate for your situation, we will tell you and may suggest a more suitable next step. You will not be charged for the video consultation.
The EOS system uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This makes it suitable for full-body standing images.
Yes. EOS and MRI show different things. MRI is excellent for soft tissue such as discs and nerves. EOS shows your bones and joints under your full body weight while standing. The two often complement each other.
If you have any previous imaging (X-ray, MRI or CT reports), bring them with you. If a clinician has written a referral letter, bring that too. Neither is required. You can read more on our back pain clinic page.
Visit our booking page to start your booking. You will be offered a free video consultation first, where we confirm whether the scan is suitable for you.
Ready to book without a referral?
Start with a free video consultation from home. No doctor's letter needed, no obligation.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R), UK Statutory Instruments 2017 No. 1322.
- NHS England. "Diagnostic Imaging: guidance on referral." Available at: england.nhs.uk.
- Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR). "Guidance on the roles and responsibilities of practitioners under IR(ME)R." Available at: sor.org.
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.