GP-led diagnostic imaging: X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, Mammogram. Clear guidance on which scan you need, on-site X-ray for fast turnaround, and coordinated referrals to trusted imaging partners for advanced scans. Consultation and results interpretation all at Mediway.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Qiao Yufei, MD
Diagnostic imaging uses scans (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, mammogram) to see inside the body for diagnosis or health screening. At Mediway Medical Centre, we provide GP consultation to assess which imaging is right for you, on-site X-ray with same-day turnaround, and coordinated referrals to accredited imaging partners for ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, and other advanced imaging. All results are interpreted with you at a follow-up consultation, so you leave with clarity, not just images.
A quick guide by symptom or concern. This is a starting point. Your GP will confirm the right imaging for your specific situation at consultation. If you have an emergency symptom (chest pain, stroke signs, major trauma), go to A&E, not a GP clinic.
| Symptom or concern | Likely imaging | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Cough, chest infection, pneumonia suspected | Chest X-ray | On-site |
| Suspected fracture or joint injury | X-ray first (MRI if ligament injury suspected) | On-site / Refer |
| Back pain (persistent, with red flags) | Spine X-ray first; MRI if severe or neurological symptoms | On-site / Refer |
| Abdominal pain (upper or lower quadrant) | Ultrasound first; CT if urgent or inconclusive | Refer |
| Pregnancy monitoring or pregnancy-related concerns | Ultrasound (usually arranged through OBGYN) | Refer |
| Thyroid nodule or neck lump | Ultrasound thyroid / neck | Refer |
| Persistent headache or neurological symptoms | MRI brain (CT head if urgent or trauma) | Refer |
| Breast lump or change | Mammogram + breast ultrasound | Refer |
| Osteoporosis or bone-density risk assessment | DEXA scan | Refer |
| Pre-employment medical / work pass / visa | Chest X-ray | On-site |
| Head injury (mild to moderate, within 24-48h) | CT head (urgent). Go to A&E if severe | Refer / A&E |
| Sports injury to knee, shoulder, or hip | X-ray first (bone); MRI if ligament, tendon, or cartilage | On-site / Refer |
| Chest pain (severe, radiating, new-onset) | Urgent assessment. Go to A&E, not a GP scan | A&E |
This guide is educational. It does not replace a medical consultation or diagnosis. Imaging should be ordered by a qualified clinician based on your history and examination.
A plain-English guide to the main imaging types. Each links to a dedicated service page with pricing and booking detail.
Fast, low-dose radiation imaging. Images available in minutes. Done on-site at Mediway.
Best for: fractures · chest infections · back pain · joint injuries · pre-employment medical
X-ray Clinic Singapore →Sound-wave imaging. No radiation. Excellent for soft tissue, abdomen, thyroid, and pregnancy monitoring.
Best for: abdomen · thyroid · breast · musculoskeletal · pregnancy
Ultrasound Scan →Cross-sectional X-ray. Fast, detailed views of bones and internal organs. Higher radiation than X-ray.
Best for: head injury · internal bleeding · lung detail · complex fractures · cancer staging
CT Scan Singapore →Magnetic-field imaging. No radiation. Very detailed soft tissue and nervous-system views. Longer scan time.
Best for: brain · spine · joints · ligaments · detailed soft tissue
MRI Scan Singapore →Low-dose X-ray specifically designed to measure bone density. Gold standard for osteoporosis screening.
Best for: osteoporosis risk · fracture risk · post-menopausal women · long-term steroid users
DEXA Scan Singapore →Specialised breast X-ray. Usually paired with breast ultrasound, especially for dense breast tissue.
Best for: breast cancer screening (age 40+) · investigating breast lumps · with ultrasound for dense breasts
Referral available: ask at consultationX-ray is the only modality done on-site at Mediway. Images are available within minutes of the scan, and the GP will review them with you at the same visit. Walk in during clinic hours or book ahead. Radiologist-reported results return in 1-3 working days.
For imaging we don't offer on-site (ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, mammogram), we coordinate a three-step process.
We assess your symptoms, recommend the appropriate imaging, and provide a referral letter. For straightforward requests, this can be combined with the scan booking.
You attend Radlink, our accredited imaging partner. Partner's pricing applies to the scan itself.
Partner radiologist's report returns within 3-7 working days. You come back to Mediway for a follow-up consultation where we explain findings, flag anything needing action, and coordinate next steps.
A common concern for patients. The short answer: routine diagnostic imaging uses low radiation doses, and ultrasound and MRI use no ionising radiation at all. Here is a plain-English comparison.
| Scan | Radiation dose (mSv) | Equivalent to... |
|---|---|---|
| Dental X-ray | ~0.005 mSv | About half a day of natural background radiation |
| Chest X-ray | ~0.1 mSv | About 10 days of natural background radiation |
| DEXA bone density | ~0.001 mSv | A few hours of natural background radiation |
| Mammogram | ~0.4 mSv | About 7 weeks of natural background radiation |
| CT head | ~2 mSv | About 8 months of natural background radiation |
| CT chest | ~7 mSv | About 2 years of natural background radiation |
| CT abdomen + pelvis | ~10 mSv | About 3 years of natural background radiation |
| Ultrasound | 0 mSv | No ionising radiation |
| MRI | 0 mSv | No ionising radiation |
| Natural background (Singapore, annual) | ~3 mSv/year | Everyone receives this from cosmic rays, soil, etc. |
Indicative values. Actual dose varies by scan protocol, machine, and patient factors. Based on ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) and American College of Radiology reference ranges.
Modern imaging machines use dose-reduction technology (low-dose CT, AI-enhanced protocols), and each scan is ordered only when the clinical benefit outweighs the radiation risk. If you have questions about the radiation dose of a specific scan, ask your GP before the test.
We favour transparent pricing. Each imaging service spoke page lists indicative prices for that modality.
Three cost components:
All prices are GST-inclusive. Partner imaging prices are indicative and subject to change. Confirm with the imaging centre at booking. See Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI Scan, or DEXA Scan for modality-specific indicative pricing.
On-site X-ray and coordinated referrals to accredited imaging partners for ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, mammogram, and other advanced imaging. All results are interpreted with you at a follow-up consultation.
For imaging done at Mediway (X-ray), a GP consultation is usually enough. For imaging at partner centres (ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA), we provide a referral letter and coordinate booking. Some imaging partners accept direct walk-in; most require a referral.
Choice depends on the symptom and body area. X-ray is fast and ideal for bones, chest, and joints. Ultrasound excels for soft tissue, abdomen, thyroid, and pregnancy. CT is for urgent or complex assessments. MRI is for detailed soft tissue and nervous-system imaging. DEXA measures bone density. A GP consultation can recommend the appropriate imaging based on your clinical presentation. See the decision guide above for common scenarios.
Modern X-ray and CT use low radiation doses. A chest X-ray delivers about 0.1 mSv, roughly 10 days of natural background radiation. A CT scan delivers 2-10 mSv depending on body area. Ultrasound and MRI use no ionising radiation. Risk is considered low relative to clinical benefit when imaging is appropriately ordered. See the radiation safety table above for details.
Yes. Ultrasound and MRI use no ionising radiation and are generally preferred during pregnancy. X-ray and CT are typically avoided unless clinically essential. Always inform your doctor if you may be pregnant before any imaging is ordered.
GP consultation is $38 at Mediway. On-site X-ray is priced transparently per view. See the X-ray Clinic page. Ultrasound, CT, MRI, and DEXA are done at partner imaging centres at their posted rates. See each spoke page for indicative pricing. All prices are GST-inclusive and subject to change.
On-site X-ray images are available within minutes; radiologist-reported X-ray results return in 1-3 working days. Ultrasound, CT, MRI, and DEXA results from referral partners typically return in 3-7 working days.
Medisave coverage depends on the scan type, the referring diagnosis, and whether the imaging is done at an approved facility. Medisave can be used for some diagnostic procedures when ordered for clinical investigation (not for screening). Confirm with your insurer and the imaging centre before the scan.
Private insurance coverage varies by policy and whether the imaging is ordered for symptom investigation versus screening. Imaging ordered for symptom investigation is often covered; screening imaging may not be. We provide itemised receipts for insurance claim submission.
Yes. Partner imaging centres provide a radiologist report. You return to Mediway for a follow-up consultation where the doctor explains findings in plain language, flags anything needing action, and coordinates next steps, including specialist referral when appropriate.
Each imaging service has a dedicated page with indicative pricing and booking details.
Mediway Medical Centre
20 Upper Circular Rd, #B1-26/29 The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416
MRT: Clarke Quay (NE5), Exit E
Phone: 6909 0190 · WhatsApp: 8779 9898
Email: enquiry@mediwaymedical.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm · Sat 7:30am-1pm · Closed Sun & PH
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The decision guide is educational. Imaging must be ordered by a qualified clinician based on your clinical history. Radiation-dose values are indicative, sourced from ICRP and American College of Radiology reference ranges. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance. Imaging pricing is GST-inclusive and subject to change. See spoke pages for current rates.