Patient Guides 5 min read

How to Request Your
CT Scan Images

You have a legal right to a copy of your CT scan images - free of charge, and without needing permission from your GP. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to request your CT images from an NHS or private hospital, what to ask for, and what to do with them once you have them.

Doctorum Radiologists

Published July 2026

Step-by-step process for requesting CT scan images from a hospital

If you have had a CT scan through the NHS - of your head, chest, abdomen, or a CT angiogram - and would like a second opinion, a private report, or simply a copy for your own records, you will need the actual scan images. This guide explains exactly how to obtain them.

You do not need your GP's permission.

Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, your CT images are part of your personal health data. You are legally entitled to request a copy at any time.

Before You Call: What You Will Need

Have the following information ready before you contact the hospital. This will make the process quicker and reduce the chance of delays.

Your full name and date of birth
Your NHS number - found on any NHS letter, prescription, or via the NHS App
The name of the hospital where the CT scan was performed
The approximate date of the scan and the body region examined (e.g. CT chest, CT abdomen and pelvis)

Step-by-Step: How to Request Your CT Images

Contact the radiology department directly

Do not call your GP or the main hospital switchboard. Call the radiology department at the hospital where your CT scan was performed and ask for the PACS office. You can find the number on the hospital's website - search for the hospital name followed by "radiology department contact."

When you call, say: "I would like to request a copy of my CT scan images. I understand I am entitled to these under the Data Protection Act."

Ask for the full image series in DICOM format

DICOM is the universal format for medical scan images, and it is what every radiology service and second opinion provider works with. A CT scan is a full three-dimensional dataset made up of many thin cross-sectional slices - often several hundred. Ask specifically for "the complete CT image series in DICOM format" - not selected key images, a printed summary, or a PDF of the report - so that a radiologist can review every slice.

Choose how you would like to receive them

Most hospitals offer two options. Ask which is available to you:

Digital (recommended)

Many NHS trusts now use the NHS Image Exchange Portal (IEP). The hospital sends you a secure share code by email. You - or any provider you choose - can then download the images digitally. This is faster and more convenient than a CD, and well suited to the large file sizes of CT studies.

CD or DVD

If digital access is not available, the hospital will burn your CT images to a CD or DVD. You may need to collect it in person from the radiology department, or it can be posted to you.

Complete any paperwork required

Some hospitals ask you to fill in a short form - either online, by email, or in person. This is standard. You may be asked to verify your identity with a form of ID such as a passport or driving licence, particularly if the images are being posted or digitally transferred.

Wait for your images - then share them securely

Once you have your CT images, you are free to share them with any radiologist or second opinion service you choose. You do not need to inform the NHS or your GP that you are doing so. At Doctorum, we provide a simple, secure upload process and will guide you through every step.

Not sure where to start? We are happy to help.

If you are finding it difficult to obtain your CT images - whether you are unsure who to contact, what to ask for, or have hit a delay - our team is here to help. Get in touch and we will do our best to guide you through it at no obligation.

How Long Will It Take?

Hospitals are legally required to respond to your request within one calendar month under UK GDPR. In practice, most radiology departments provide images within one to two weeks - and many digital requests via the Image Exchange Portal can be fulfilled within a few days.

If you need your images urgently - for example, because you are awaiting a treatment decision - tell the department when you call. Many trusts have a faster pathway for urgent requests.

Is There a Cost?

Your first copy is free. Under current data protection legislation, NHS trusts cannot charge for a first copy of your medical records, including scan images. Some trusts may charge a small fee for subsequent copies, but this varies.

If a hospital tells you there is a charge for your first copy, politely ask them to clarify under which provision of the Data Protection Act 2018 the fee is being levied. In most cases, the charge will be waived.

"Your scan images belong to you. Requesting them is straightforward, free, and requires no permission from your GP or consultant."

Doctorum Consultant Radiologist

Common Questions

Do I need my GP to request my CT images for me?

No. You can contact the radiology department directly as an individual. Your GP does not need to be involved and does not need to give permission. This is your right under data protection law.

Should I ask for the images or the report?

They are two separate things. The report is the radiologist's written interpretation; the images are the scan data itself. For a second opinion or an independent report, a radiologist needs the actual images in DICOM format. You are entitled to both, so it is worth asking for the images and a copy of any existing report.

What exactly is a DICOM file?

DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is the standard file format used by all medical scanners - CT, MRI, X-ray and ultrasound. For a CT scan it contains the full stack of cross-sectional slices at diagnostic resolution, along with the scan details. Any professional radiology service, including Doctorum, will require your images in DICOM format to produce a report. If you receive a CD, it will typically include a simple viewer so you can also look at your images yourself.

Will requesting my images affect my NHS care?

No. Requesting a copy of your images does not alter your NHS pathway in any way. Your NHS referral, appointments and treatment plan continue exactly as before. Getting a private report or second opinion is entirely separate from your NHS care.

Can I request CT images from a private hospital or clinic?

Yes. The same rights apply to CT scans performed at private hospitals and imaging centres. Contact the radiology or imaging department directly, make the same request, and the same legal timeframes apply.

What to Do With Your CT Images

Once you have your CT images, you can share them with a consultant radiologist for a formal written report - whether because you are still waiting for your NHS results, because you have received a report and want a second opinion, or simply because you want a clear, plain-English explanation of what your scan shows.

At Doctorum, the process is straightforward. You contact us, we send you a secure link to upload your DICOM files, and a UK consultant radiologist reviews them and produces a formal written report within 24-48 hours. There is no GP referral required, and a fixed price of £200 for a private CT report.

Sources & Further Reading

NHS England. How do I get a copy of my health or medical records? england.nhs.uk
NHS Digital. How to make a Subject Access Request. digital.nhs.uk
Information Commissioner's Office. Right of access. ico.org.uk
UK Government. Data Protection Act 2018. legislation.gov.uk

Already have your CT images?

Send them to us and receive a formal written report from a UK consultant radiologist within 24-48 hours. Fixed price of £200. No GP referral required.

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