FAQs

We have collected together some of your most asked questions below. If there is anything you would like to talk about in more detail or there is a query you have not found the answer to please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 0118 338 2500 or emailing info@berkshireimaging.co.uk.

General questions

To access diagnostic imaging scans such as CT, MRI and Ultasound you will need to ask your clinician to complete our on-line referral form. We accept referrals from a range of medical professionals, including GPs, hospital specialists, physiotherapies and chiropractors. Once we receive their submission our patient care team will be in touch to arrange an appointment convenient for you.

For breast imaging (screening mammograms, ultrasound and MRI) your doctor will need to refer you directly to the specialist breast team at Spire Dunedin Hospital (0118 958 7676).

For most of our image guided treatments you can refer yourself directly. Please contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist interventional radiologists.

Private diagnostic scanning at the Royal Berkshire Hospital takes place at the weekends so there should be no problem with car parking.

You can choose to pay your treatment either by funding it yourself or through your health insurance company. However you choose to pay we have all the information you may need on our payment information page.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

We are one of the largest private radiology groups in Berkshire providing imaging for patients across the county.  As leaders in medical imaging and image guided treatments we use cutting edge technologies to diagnose and treat many different and often complex conditions.

We understand you may be concerned about your health and will want to be seen as quickly as possible. We have good relationships with all the major private hospitals across Berkshire enabling us to give you rapid access to private scans. A quick and accurate diagnosis helps ensure a better outcome helping you to find the correct treatment or simply to put your mind to ease.

Call our friendly patient care team who will be happy to discuss your needs.

MRI scans

The MRI scans we offer include:

  • cervical spine
  • thoracic spine
  • lumbar spine
  • knee
  • hips
  • shoulder
  • wrist
  • ankle
  • elbow
  • prostate
  • liver and gallbladder
  • pelvis
  • head
  • neck

An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves whereas a CT scan uses X-rays. Both types of scans provide detailed images of internal body structures and both have advantages and some risks. Generally, your doctor will recommend an MRI scan as a way of obtaining detailed images of soft tissues, organs and ligaments. However, some people may not be able to have an MRI scan, so they will discuss your individual circumstances with you.

This will depend on which part of your body is being scanned. For imaging areas such as knee, ankle, foot and lower back you will go in feet first and most people will have their head outside of the scanner. For areas such as the head, neck, breast and abdominal area, you will go in head first.

No. MRI scanners are open at both ends.

No. There are currently no open MRI scanners in Berkshire.

Some patients are anxious about the thought of a MRI scan and being in an enclosed space. An MRI scanner is open at both ends and is located in a spacious room. Although it is quite noisy you will either be given ear plugs to block out the sound or you will be given headphones so that you can listen to music. You will also be given a call bell for the duration of the scan which you can use to alert the radiographers immediately should you have a problem.

If you think claustrophobia may still be an issue please feel free to discuss this with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a mild sedative. This does not put you to sleep but relaxes you. If you do take a sedative you will need someone with you who can drive you home after the scan.

Certain cardiac valves and neurosurgical clips are not compatible with the MRI scanner and it is therefore important we have accurate information about the surgery you have had prior to your scan.

Yes, it is safe to drive home after both CT scans and MRI scans that involve an injection of dye.

Yes, as long as it was put in more than 6 weeks ago.

We offer a broad range of treatments at Berkshire Imaging, at a number of different locations. For this reason the price will vary. Please call 0118 338 2500 or email info@berkshireimaging.co.uk for an accurate price. You can also get in touch via our contact page. You can read more information relating to payments and insurance on our payment information page.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

CT scans

We offer the following CT scans:

  • headneck
  • temporal bones
  • sinuses
  • chest
  • abdomen and pelvis
  • virtual colonoscopy
  • cardiac
  • hips
  • spines
  • knees
  • peripheral angiogram

An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves whereas a CT scan uses X-rays. Both types of scans provide detailed images of internal body structures and both have advantages and some risks. Generally, your doctor will recommend an MRI scan as a way of obtaining detailed images of soft tissues, organs and ligaments. However, some people may not be able to have an MRI scan so they will discuss your individual circumstances with you.

Normally you will only be in the scan room for five to 10 minutes and the scan itself often takes under a minute.

We offer a broad range of treatments at Berkshire Imaging, at a number of different locations. For this reason the price will vary. Please call 0118 338 2500 or email info@berkshireimaging.co.uk for an accurate price. You can also get in touch via our contact page. You can read more information relating to payments and insurance on our payment information page.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

If you are going to have a CT scan that requires an injection of dye, you will need to have had a blood test to check your kidney function within 3 months before your scan.

Yes, it is safe to drive home if you have had an injection of contrast dye.

Ultrasound scans

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

We offer the following ultrasound scans:

  • abdomen
  • kidneys
  • liver and gallbladder
  • pelvis
  • neck
  • thyroid
  • testes
  • groin
  • shoulder
  • elbow
  • wrist and hand
  • hip
  • knee
  • ankle
  • foot
  • soft tissue lumps

Berkshire Imaging does not offer pregnancy scans or fertility scanning.

If your doctor thinks you need a breast ultrasound they will need to refer you directly to the specialist team at Spire Dunhill Hospital as we are unable to take direct referrals. For more information on breast imaging including what it is used for, the benefits and risks please visit our breast imaging page here.

Ultrasound scans usually take around 15 – 20 minutes depending on the type of scan.

We offer a broad range of treatments at Berkshire Imaging, at a number of different locations. For this reason the price will vary. Please call 0118 338 2500 or email info@berkshireimaging.co.uk for an accurate price. You can also get in touch via our contact page. You can read more information relating to payments and insurance on our payment information page.

Breast imaging

For breast imaging (screening mammograms, ultrasound and MRI) your doctor will need to refer you directly to the specialist breast team at Spire Dunedin Hospital (0118 958 7676).

If you have a breast problem, then your GP can refer you to the specialist breast team at Spire Dunedin Hospital.

The specialist consultant radiologist will interpret the images, conduct any ultrasound examination and share the imaging results with you on any same-day as your appointment. Should an ultrasound guided biopsy be needed, then this can be done at the same time. Biopsy results will usually be available within 5 days.

Women over 40 years will usually require mammography and breast ultrasound examination, whereas women under the age of 40 years will usually require ultrasound only.

If you have a breast implant problem, then you can refer yourself via your GP to the specialist breast team at Spire Dunedin Hospital.

Breast ultrasound is usually used to assess your breast implants in the first instance and sometimes breast MRI will also be performed.

You can refer yourself to Spire Dunedin for an annual screening mammogram if you are over 40 years, do not have any breast symptoms and have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months. These mammograms will be read by two specialist consultant radiologists and the results will be sent promptly to your GP.

The NHS routinely invites all women between the ages of 50 and 71 to attend for regular breast screening with mammograms every 3 years.

It may be difficult to have a mammogram if you have limited mobility in your upper body or you are unable to support your upper body without help. However, you may be able to have other types of breast imaging. Talk to us and we will be able to advise you.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

Please contact the specialist breast team at Spire Dunedin Hospital (0118 958 7676) for up to date prices.

Sports imaging

Early diagnosis of sports injuries can significantly help recovery time. We are one of the largest private radiology groups Berkshire and our 23 consultant radiologists use the latest technologies to diagnose and treat many different sports related injuries. Contact us by calling 0118 338 2500 or emailing info@berkshireimaging.co.uk or visit out sports imaging page to find out more about related scans and treatments.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

We offer a broad range of treatments at Berkshire Imaging, at a number of different locations. For this reason the price will vary. Please call 0118 338 2500 or email info@berkshireimaging.co.uk for an accurate price. You can also get in touch via our contact page. You can read more information relating to payments and insurance on our payment information page.

The local anaesthetic in the injection will take effect quickly – sometimes in as little as a few seconds, but certainly within a couple of minutes. The effects of the anaesthetic will wear off within around 8-12 hours. However, the steroid, while it is slower to act, provides a longer lasting benefit. It usually takes at least 2-3 days for the steroid to start working and it may be up to 2 weeks before you see any noticeable improvement.

The numbing effect of the local anaesthetic will wear off in 8-12 hours. The effect of the steroid is variable, but for most people it lasts between 3 – 6 months. In some cases, you may experience benefits for up to a year, while for some people they may only last for 2-3 weeks. It is impossible to say beforehand, unfortunately.

Steroid injections to joints and nerve roots are very safe procedures and there are very few contraindications. In general, we would not perform an injection within 2 weeks of someone having a flu or covid-19 vaccination.

If you have any infection elsewhere in your body (including another joint), or sepsis (infection of the bloodstream), we would not normally go ahead with a steroid injection as it can suppress immunity and this could prolong or worsen the infection.

If you have had an allergic reaction to steroids in the past you would not be suitable for the procedure (even targeted steroid injections into the joints).

The risk of any significant bleeding is very low with steroid injections, but if you are on particularly strong anticoagulation such as warfarin, or if you have a bleeding disorder, we would advise proceeding with caution. Your consultant radiologist can discuss this with you.

The risk in pregnancy and during breastfeeding is very low, as only very minute doses of steroid are thought to enter the bloodstream, but this is always discussed on a case-by-case basis.

A steroid flare is a painful or uncomfortable side-effect that can sometimes occur following a steroid injection. The symptoms include pain at the injection site, sometimes with a little bleeding or skin discolouration. A steroid flare is usually best relieved by resting the affected joint and avoiding heavy exertion. Paracetamol and/or anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen are effective ways to relieve pain. The steroid flare will settle by itself within 2-3 days and is nothing to worry about.

No additional isolation is required. However, we would advise that all patients follow government guidelines and regulations regarding social distancing in relation to Covid-19.

While most people find that they feel well enough to drive home after a joint or nerve root injection, we don’t recommend it as you may find that your joint or leg is quite numb following the local anaesthetic.

Additionally, certain vehicle insurance companies may not provide cover for 24 hours following an injection, so if you do decide to drive yourself home after your procedure, we advise checking your insurance policy.

We would advise resting for 48 hours following a joint injection or nerve root injection. During this time it is fine to do normal everyday household activities such as dressing yourself, walking around the house, brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, and so on.

We do not advise any heavy lifting (including large grocery bags, or weight training) for at least 48 hours after the injection. Repetitive use of the injected joint is also inadvisable. So, for example if you have had a finger injection, it would be best not to use that hand for DIY tasks or to do a lot of typing.

If you have had a nerve root or lower limb joint injection, you should avoid going on any long walks (further than a few hundred metres) for 48 hours.

After the initial 48 hours, you may cautiously see how your joint or back feel and increase activity as you feel comfortable. If in doubt, talk to your consultant radiologist.

We are currently operating using guidance based on research into steroid effects on the influenza vaccination. This advises a minimum interval of 2 weeks between the vaccination and any steroid injection.

Image Guided Biopsy

Image guided biopsies are used to diagnose a wide range of conditions ranging from infectious diseases to cancers. Once you have a definitive diagnosis your consultant will discuss the most appropriate course of treatment for you.

We will send your results promptly to your referring clinician. They will then get in touch to discuss them with you.

We offer a broad range of treatments at Berkshire Imaging, at a number of different locations. For this reason the price will vary. Please call 0118 338 2500 or email info@berkshireimaging.co.uk for an accurate price. You can also get in touch via our contact page. You can read more information relating to payments and insurance on our payment information page.

Follow the instructions we send you prior to the procedure. In certain cases, such as if you require sedation, you may need to avoid eating for several hours beforehand.