Consultations & diagnostics
General medicine, imaging, laboratory investigations, genetics and diagnostic centres.
10 specialty guides · 10 procedure guides
Procedure planning guides
General medical assessment
- Time
- Appointment length agreed with the clinic
- Appointments
- 1 assessment; results review if tests are needed
MRI diagnostic imaging
- Time
- About 15–90 minutes of scanning
- Appointments
- 1 scan appointment + report review
Biopsy histopathology
- Time
- Laboratory turnaround depends on specimen & tests
- Appointments
- Sampling + results discussion; lab attendance usually unnecessary
Computed tomography (CT)
- Time
- NHS example: 10–20 minutes for the scan.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
Diagnostic ultrasonography
- Time
- NHS example: around 10–45 minutes; some examinations take longer.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
Conventional radiography
- Time
- NHS example: the images themselves take a few minutes.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
- Time
- NHS example: 10–20 minutes for the scan.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
Full blood count (CBC)
- Time
- NHS example: a blood-sampling appointment takes about 10 minutes.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
Clinical genetic counselling
- Time
- Consultation length and laboratory turnaround depend on the question and test.
- Appointments
- Initial review + tests or follow-up as needed
Spirometry
- Time
- NHS example: the appointment should take no more than an hour.
- Appointments
- 1 test attendance + results review
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Specialty guides
Medical specialties and focused care areas. Choose a guide for clinical terms, treatment options and preparation.
General & internal medicine
First assessment of symptoms, family health and chronic conditions, with targeted tests and referrals.
Read the guide: General & internal medicineImaging & diagnostics
Radiology and diagnostic services answer a specific clinical question. This guide brings imaging and diagnostic-centre services together, including MRI, CT, ultrasound and selected functional investigations.
Read the guide: Imaging & diagnosticsLaboratory & pathology
Blood and other laboratory investigations, tissue histology and selected molecular tests. Test type determines specimen and reporting time.
Read the guide: Laboratory & pathologyMedical genetics
Genetic counselling and indication-based testing for inherited disease, with consent and explanation of implications for relatives.
Read the guide: Medical geneticsInternal medicine assessment
An internist brings symptoms, examination findings and existing test results together. This guide covers common reasons for review and how to prepare a useful medical history.
Read the guide: Internal medicine assessmentCT & MRI diagnostics
CT and MRI answer different diagnostic questions. The radiology team selects the examination, checks implants and contrast suitability, and explains preparation and reporting.
Read the guide: CT & MRI diagnosticsUltrasound & vascular imaging
Ultrasound can assess organs, soft tissues and blood flow without ionising radiation. The body region and clinical question determine whether further imaging is needed.
Read the guide: Ultrasound & vascular imagingBlood tests & laboratory diagnostics
Laboratory tests help investigate a defined clinical problem and monitor treatment. Results need interpretation alongside symptoms, medicines and the laboratory’s reference ranges.
Read the guide: Blood tests & laboratory diagnosticsPathology & tissue diagnosis
Pathology examines cells and tissue to establish or refine a diagnosis. A second review may require original slides or tissue blocks, not only the written report.
Read the guide: Pathology & tissue diagnosisHereditary cancer counselling
Genetic counselling assesses inherited cancer risk using personal and family history. Testing, possible uncertain results and implications for relatives are discussed before consent.
Read the guide: Hereditary cancer counsellingCan’t find your treatment?
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Understanding the options
Sometimes the first requirement is to understand an existing finding or obtain a specialist opinion. Tests answer particular clinical questions. A scanner image alone does not establish a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or a need for further imaging.
- A specialist consultation and review of existing reports.
- Clinician-requested laboratory tests or imaging, such as MRI or CT, when appropriate.
- Review of pathology or tissue samples if the relevant specialist requests it.
- A follow-up explanation of findings and the proposed next steps by the clinical team.
A qualified clinician decides whether a test is needed and safe, and interprets its results. MRI and CT support assessment; they are not treatments themselves. Examination scope, availability and charges must be confirmed with the provider.