Direct access for MRI Head imaging

North west London acute trusts will be providing GP direct access to MRI Head for people with symptoms not meeting the threshold for an urgent suspected cancer referral from 3 November 2025.

This guidance is distinct from NG12 but should be considered alongside it. 

The guidance is for patients where the level of clinical suspicion does not quite fulfil the NG-12 criteria for suspected intracranial malignancy. Where patients do fulfil NG-12 guidance they should continue to be referred along the standard urgent suspected cancer/2 week wait (2WW) pathway. 

Detailed guidance on when and how to refer, and where to obtain referral advice, can be found in a document.