Help centre

The centre is located in Greater London at Mount Vernon Hospital, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, HA6 2RN 1. Paul Strickland Scanner Centre is conveniently located just off the M25 and about 30 minutes from Heathrow airport.

Yes, there is pay and display parking available on site.

More information about parking at Mount Vernon Hospital

More information about parking at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

You should bring your appointment letter, any relevant medical records, and a list of your current medications. For more information please see patient information our team sent you ahead of your scan.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you should contact the centre as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about your scan results, you should contact your referring doctor.

Please contact your referring team for a blood form as we are unable to give out blood forms. If you need to have a blood test before your scan, you will need to have your blood test done at least 48 hours before your appointment.

Unless it is an urgent scan, your referrer will usually receive your report within 2-3 weeks for CT. Results can be available more quickly for MRI and PET-CT scans. Private scans can be provided on the same day. Once the radiologist has reported the scan, it will be sent straight to your referrer. 

Patients are advised to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. If you are having an MRI scan, it is important that you avoid clothes that contain metal – please see our MRI patient information for more details. If you have a scan of your abdomen or pelvis, we may provide you with a hospital gown to change into when you arrive.

The duration of the scan depends on the type of scan you are having. Generally, a scan can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Please check the information we sent you ahead of your scan for more details.

Depending on the type of scan, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan. You will be informed of any specific instructions prior to your appointment. Please see your appointment letter for more information.

Yes, you can bring someone with you to the scan. However, due to radiation safety regulations, only one person is allowed in the scanning room with you.

All our scanners have been chosen specifically due to their wider scanner bores, however if you are claustrophobic, please tell us prior to your appointment.

If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you should inform the staff prior to your appointment. Depending on the type of scan, it may not be safe for you or your baby.

If you have a pacemaker or other implant, you should inform the staff prior to your appointment. Depending on the type of scan, it may not be safe for you.

If you have a metal implant, you should inform the staff prior to your appointment. Depending on the type of scan, it may not be safe for you.

You will be informed of any specific instructions prior to your appointment. In general, you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without any metal zippers, buttons, or snaps. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan.

Your scan results will be sent to your referring doctor, who will discuss them with you.