Issued by: Department of Health and Social Care

Patients across England are benefiting from faster cancer diagnoses, after one million more scans were delivered thanks to new scanners and cutting-edge AI technology.

NHS England data published on Tuesday 3 November shows that, from March 2024 to March 2026, the number of CT and MRI scanners in the NHS has increased by 125, giving doctors greater capacity to diagnose cancer and other serious conditions earlier and get patients into treatment sooner.

The expansion comes as each month in 2026 so far has set an NHS monthly record for diagnostic activity, with the diagnostic waiting list having fallen in three of the five months since April.

Cancer waiting times are better than last year, and the overall waiting list for elective care is down by over 250,000 since July 2024.

CT and MRI scanners are a vital part of diagnosing cancers including lung, brain, breast and prostate cancer. More scanners mean more patients can get the tests they need sooner, reducing waits and helping speed up diagnosis and treatment.

Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said: “Getting the right diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible can make all the difference, particularly for patients with cancer and other serious conditions.

“That’s why, in the face of record demand, we are expanding NHS capacity and using new technology to help more people get the tests and care they need.

“The 125 new scanners and rollout of AI technology are helping deliver around a million extra scans every year, while the new Manchester and Trafford CDC with its modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment will allow people to get checked quickly and conveniently in the community.”

Alongside the expansion in scanning capacity, AI-powered MRI technology is being introduced across the NHS, helping services carry out on average 14% more scans while maintaining image quality. The technology is helping hospitals create thousands of extra appointments and allowing patients to spend less time in scanners.

The new £19.2 million Manchester and Trafford Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which officially opened on Thursday 29 October, will further expand access to vital tests and scans, giving patients quicker and more convenient care closer to home.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: “Waiting for test results can be an anxious time for anyone worried about cancer, so receiving answers sooner can make a real difference.

“By increasing access to scans and using technology to help clinicians see patients faster, the NHS is making it easier for people to get checked quickly and closer to home at a time that suits them.

“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of a successful outcome for patients.”

Most of the new machines added since March 2024 (107 of 125) have gone into community diagnostic centres, which carried out nearly 2.2 million CT and MRI scans in the 12 months up to March 2026 — an extra million compared to the 12 months up to March 2024.

AI acceleration software has already been installed in more than half (54%) of compatible NHS MRI scanners. The software speeds up scan times as it needs less data to achieve a high-quality image. The saved time can be used to get more patients through each machine per day, meaning at a national level the NHS can increase the number of MRI appointments it undertakes.

Every NHS trust in the country will be given the opportunity to upgrade compatible MRI scanners by 2029. A full rollout would enable existing equipment to deliver up to 162,000 more checks per year.

Dr Stephen Harden, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: “Demand for diagnostic scans is rising, so it is vital we have the equipment and workforce to scan, diagnose and treat patients efficiently and safely. We are pleased to see the government continue to roll out newer and AI-enabled scanners that are helping to scan more patients and providing the images radiologists analyse.”

Notes to Editors:

• The national figures on the number of scanners come from NHS England’s 2025/2026 National Imaging Data Collection (to be published on the morning of Tuesday 3 November), which shows continued growth in diagnostic scanner capacity.

• The NHS website estimates that an MRI scan currently takes between 15 minutes and one hour. This depends on what part of the body is being scanned.

• Each month in 2026 so far has set an NHS monthly record for diagnostic activity, and the diagnostic waiting list has fallen in three of the five months since April.

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