Private PET Scan Cost in the UK — and Booking in China Without a GP Referral Letter
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Quick answer: In the UK a PET-CT is arranged through a referral — on the NHS when your doctors refer you, and at most private centres too. Most UK centres price PET-CT for referred patients, and several quote case by case; the one published price we found for a scan that does not need a GP referral is £1,800 for an FDG PET-CT (see sources). If a PET-CT has already been recommended for you and you would rather not wait for a slot, SinoCareLink can book one at a partner hospital in China without a GP referral letter, at a fixed price from US$1,299 (travel and accommodation are extra).
If you're a UK patient weighing an NHS wait, a private scan that needs a referral you don't yet have, or travelling to get it done at a fixed price, this guide sets out what the UK options cost, how the booking works in China, and what you can and cannot reclaim.
Please note: General education, not medical or financial advice. Confirm coverage with your own insurer before travelling.
NHS vs UK private vs China
- NHS: arranged when your doctors refer you for a PET scan — for example to find out whether symptoms are caused by conditions such as cancer, or to plan treatment. Waiting times depend on your region and pathway.
- UK private: most centres price PET-CT for referred patients, and several major providers do not publish prices at all; the one published price we found for a scan that does not need a GP referral is £1,800 for an FDG PET-CT.
- China via SinoCareLink: a fixed price from US$1,299 for a PET-CT at a partner hospital, with English coordination — no GP referral letter needed to book, and completed in one trip.
Cost comparison
| Option | Typical cost (PET-CT) | Wait | Referral |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS | Arranged through referral | Depends on region and pathway | Referral by your doctors |
| UK private | Often quoted case by case (referral needed); £1,800 without a GP referral (one provider) | Varies by centre | Usually consultant or GP referral; one provider we found accepts self-referral |
| China via SinoCareLink | From US$1,299 (scan, English report and on-the-day companion; travel and accommodation extra) | Depends on hospital availability | No GP referral letter needed to book, for a scan your doctor has already recommended |
Can you reclaim the cost? (read this before you book)
This is where many patients are misinformed:
- NHS-funded treatment abroad (e.g. the S2 route) is for EEA/Switzerland, not China.
- So a PET-CT in China is paid out of pocket. You may then claim from a private health insurance policy if it covers overseas diagnostics — typically on a pay-first, reimburse-later basis; for that you'll need an itemised invoice and a medical certificate stating the diagnosis and costs. Most travel insurance policies do not cover planned treatment abroad, so check with your insurer before you travel.
In short: the China route needs no GP referral letter to book, and comes at a fixed price — but treat it as self-pay you may later reclaim privately, not as NHS cover.
Self-pay PET-CT in China
For international patients, a PET-CT in China is a transparent self-pay service, with English coordination and an English report (which you can include with an insurance claim). Booking through SinoCareLink does not require a GP or consultant referral letter. The price is fixed and covers hospital booking, the scan, an English-speaking companion on the day and the English report, with no facility-fee add-ons; if your doctor asks for a contrast-enhanced CT, we confirm it with you before the scan, including any extra cost. Travel and accommodation are not included. The scan itself is completed in a single visit, so it fits within one trip; the English report follows afterwards, with timing confirmed when you book. See the full breakdown of medical imaging costs in China, and our guides to PET-CT vs MRI and MRI cost without insurance.
Scan range. What most centres call a whole-body PET-CT covers skull base to mid-thigh (formally "torso" imaging in EANM and SNMMI guidelines, which reserve "whole-body" for head to feet); some hospitals, including the Shenzhen hospital SinoCareLink coordinates, scan head to toe per their examination catalogue. For Shanghai, the scan range is confirmed per the hospital's protocol at booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a private PET scan in the UK?
Most UK centres price PET-CT for referred patients, and several quote case by case or do not publish prices; the one published price we found for a scan that does not need a GP referral is £1,800 for an FDG PET-CT. Through SinoCareLink a PET-CT in China is a fixed price from US$1,299, booked without a GP referral letter; travel and accommodation are extra.
How much does a full body PET scan cost in the UK?
UK centres do not always say which body areas a published PET-CT price covers. What most centres call "whole body" is skull base to mid-thigh; some hospitals scan head to toe. Ask the centre which areas its price covers before comparing prices.
How long do PET scan results take in the UK?
The NHS says it usually takes 1 or 2 weeks to get PET scan results, which are sent to the doctor who referred you. For a scan booked through SinoCareLink, the report timing is confirmed when you book.
Do I need a GP referral to book a PET-CT in China?
No GP or consultant referral letter is needed to make the booking. This is a booking-process fact, not medical advice: whether a PET-CT is the right test for you is a question for your own doctor.
Can I claim a PET scan in China on the NHS?
No. NHS-funded treatment abroad routes such as S2 cover the EEA and Switzerland, not China. A scan in China is self-pay; you may reclaim from a private insurer if your policy covers overseas diagnostics.
What documents do I need for a private insurance claim?
An itemised invoice and a medical certificate stating the diagnosis and costs. Check with us before you book which of these can be provided in English, and confirm your insurer's exact requirements first.
See how booking a PET-CT in China works for eligibility, what to send and current prices.
Sources
- UK PET-CT price without a GP referral (FDG PET CT £1,800; "No GP referral required"): myscan.uk pricing page, myscan.uk/pricing, accessed 17 September 2026.
- NHS referral route and results timing: NHS, PET scan, page last reviewed 4 March 2025.
- Travel insurance and planned treatment abroad: NHS, Going abroad for medical treatment, page last reviewed 13 October 2023.
- SinoCareLink prices and what they include: PET-CT in China on this site.
Related reading
- What a PET-CT scan is and how it works — the clinical basics behind the price.
- PET-CT in China: the China-side cost breakdown.
- PET scan cost in other countries.
- Going private for a PET scan — self-pay routes when you do not want to wait.
Considering self-pay imaging? SinoCareLink helps UK patients arrange PET-CT and other scans at partner hospitals in China — no GP referral letter needed to book, fixed pricing, English reports, and documents you can submit to your insurer. Get in touch for a quote.