What Should You Expect From a Harley Street Imaging Clinic?
You should expect proper clinical governance regulated by the CQC, specialist radiographers, clear reports and scanning technology that suits your problem. At ScanAlign at 19 Harley Street, that means standing whole-body EOS imaging. It captures your skeleton under load, so alignment problems can be seen instead of staying hidden.
Key Takeaways
- Harley Street imaging clinics should be CQC-registered and staffed by qualified specialists.
- ScanAlign operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence at 19 Harley Street.
- Standing EOS imaging shows alignment problems that scans done lying down can miss.
- You can book yourself. You do not need a letter from your doctor.
- EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Harley Street, the medical district in London, has dozens of private imaging clinics. Having this choice is a good thing, but it also means standards vary. Some clinics offer quick general X-rays and ultrasound. Others focus on MRI. A few offer specialist imaging you will not easily find elsewhere.
This page explains what to look for in any private imaging clinic on Harley Street. It also explains how a standing whole-body alignment scan differs from the scans you may have already had.
What clinical standards should a Harley Street imaging clinic meet?
Every genuine imaging clinic in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which inspects safety, staffing and clinical governance. Harley Street is not exempt from this. Before you book any clinic there, you can check its CQC status on the public register.
ScanAlign operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence. Your scan is done by a specialist diagnostic radiographer and reported by a consultant radiologist. You can read more about ScanAlign and the team behind the clinic.
Why does standing imaging matter for back, hip and knee problems?
Standing imaging matters because your skeleton behaves differently under your own body weight than when you lie flat. Most scans, including standard X-ray, CT and MRI, are done while you lie down. That position relaxes your muscles and lets your joints settle. This can hide the alignment problems under upright load that cause pain.
Your body is a connected chain from your feet to your head. A tilted pelvis can change the way your spine curves. A difference in leg length can change how your knee moves. Pain often shows up in a different place from the one causing the problem. That is why a scan of one joint on its own can miss the bigger picture.
EOS captures your whole skeleton, from head to feet, in a single standing image. It uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This lets a specialist see how all your joints line up together, under load, in your natural posture. Find out what to expect at an alignment assessment.
A note on MRI. EOS shows bones, joints and alignment. For soft tissue, discs or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. The right scan depends on the question being asked. A good clinic will tell you honestly which scan best suits your situation.
What does a visit to 19 Harley Street look like?
Your visit to ScanAlign begins before you travel. Here is how it works, step by step.
You speak to a specialist radiographer by video about your symptoms and history. This confirms whether a standing alignment scan is the right next step for you.
The clinic is in central London's W1 area, a short walk from Oxford Circus and Regent's Park stations. The building has step-free access.
You stand naturally inside the scanner. The scan takes less than a minute. There is no tunnel, no loud noise and no injection.
A consultant radiologist reviews your images and writes a detailed report. This is shared with you and, if you choose, with your treating clinician.
You do not need a referral from your doctor. You can book yourself and book at our Harley Street clinic directly. Check who our scan is suitable for before your consultation.
Who benefits most from a standing alignment scan?
The people who benefit most have long-standing or unexplained back, hip or knee problems, especially when earlier scans have not given clear answers. A whole-body standing image gives context that a scan of one area cannot.
- Chronic back, hip or knee pain without a clear diagnosis
- Ongoing concerns about posture, or one side of the body looking different from the other
- Planning for, or recovering from, joint replacement surgery
- Pain in several areas that may be connected
- Earlier scans that showed "nothing wrong"
- Suspected soft tissue, disc or nerve injuries (MRI is better)
- Recent fractures or injuries (go to the emergency department)
- Screening for cancers or internal organs
- Under 18 (ScanAlign sees adults only)
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 whether a standing alignment scan is right for you? Start with a free video consultation, with no obligation.
Book a free video consultationFrequently asked questions about Harley Street imaging
No. ScanAlign accepts patients who book themselves. You can book a free video consultation directly, without a letter from your doctor. If you do have a referral, you are welcome to bring it with you.
ScanAlign operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence. This means the clinic meets the same safety, governance and staffing standards required of any regulated healthcare provider in England.
ScanAlign is a self-pay clinic. The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation, and you can find out more on the booking page.
The clinic is in central London's W1 area, within the Harley Street medical district. The nearest Underground stations are Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines) and Regent's Park (Bakerloo line), both a short walk away. The building has step-free access.
An EOS scan captures your whole skeleton from head to feet while you stand. It uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. A normal X-ray images one area at a time while you lie down. EOS shows how all your joints and bones line up together under your body weight.
Yes. EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. It is one of the lowest-dose methods of skeletal imaging available.
They answer different questions. EOS is excellent at showing bones, joints and whole-body alignment under weight. MRI is better for soft tissue, discs and nerves. The right scan depends on what your clinician needs to see.
The scan itself takes less than a minute. Your whole visit at 19 Harley Street, including any paperwork and positioning, is usually quite short.
Your scan is done by a specialist diagnostic radiographer and reported by a consultant radiologist. The detailed report is shared with you and, if you wish, with your treating clinician or surgeon.
You can read real, unedited reviews from past patients on our patient feedback page.
Ready to get a clearer picture?
Start with a free video consultation. A specialist radiographer will go through your history and confirm whether a standing alignment scan is the right next step.
Book a free video consultationSources
- Care Quality Commission. "What we do and how we do it." cqc.org.uk. Accessed 2024.
- Deschênes S, 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. "Private healthcare: your rights." nhs.uk. Accessed 2024.
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.