New audit highlights growing pressure on MRI services for people with neurological conditions
13/08/2026
The Neurological Alliance has welcomed the publication of “Adult Neurology Imaging in England: A National MRI Capacity and Workforce Audit”, a new report highlighting significant variation in MRI capacity, access, scanner availability and specialist workforce across England.
The audit, commissioned by Merck, examines MRI scanner capacity and age, access pathways and the neuroradiology workforce for adult neurology imaging across England.
Nearly a third of scanners will need to be replaced within two years
The findings highlight growing pressure on neurological imaging services. MRI demand has increased by 68% over the last decade, while MRI scanner availability varies almost four-fold between the best and least served parts of England.
Just 36% of NHS Trusts provide 24-hour access to both MRI and specialist neuroradiology opinion for urgent neurological care, and 32% of MRI scanners are already due for replacement, or will become due, for replacement within the next two years.
The audit also identifies significant variation in specialist neuroradiology capacity, raising concerns that workforce shortages could delay diagnosis and treatment, even where MRI scanners are available.
Georgina Carr, Chief Executive of The Neurological Alliance, said:
“For people with neurological conditions, an MRI scan is often much more than a test. It can be the moment when uncertainty begins to lift, when treatment decisions become possible, and when patients and families get a clearer understanding of what is happening. These findings matter because they show that access to timely, high-quality neuroimaging can depend on where someone lives. People need a system that provides the right scan, at the right time, with the right specialist interpretation, so that life-changing care is not delayed.
The Department of Health and Social Care – particularly as we wait for its 10-year workforce plan – and ICBs must review this audit and its recommendations urgently so ageing scanner infrastructure and workforce shortages do not undermine timely diagnosis and treatment. Alongside investment in imaging infrastructure and workforce capacity, this underlines the need for a Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions to provide a clear national roadmap for improving neurological services and reducing unwarranted variation in care.”
What next
The audit provides important evidence to inform future planning of neurological services in England. The Neurological Alliance is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Integrated Care Boards to act on the audit’s findings by investing in imaging infrastructure and the specialist workforce, while introducing a national plan for neuro, a Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions, to provide a long-term plan for improving neurological care and reducing unwarranted variation.
Sign our open letter calling for an MSF for neurological conditions here.
