HCA at The Shard (2026): Outpatients, Diagnostics & How to Book
HCA Healthcare UK’s outpatient and diagnostics centre inside The Shard — consultant appointments, MRI, CT, ultrasound and physiotherapy. Directly at London Bridge station.
In this guide
HCA at The Shard is an outpatient and diagnostics centre — not a hospital. It offers private consultant appointments, MRI, CT, ultrasound, physiotherapy and specialist referrals at 32 London Bridge Street SE1 9SG, inside The Shard building. 1 minute walk from London Bridge station (Jubilee and Northern lines). Phone: 020 7234 2009. For inpatient surgery, patients are referred to London Bridge Hospital (adjacent) or The Wellington Hospital.
Need health insurance covering HCA London facilities?
Compare Bupa, AXA, Aviva & Vitality — find out which plans cover HCA at The Shard and what London surcharges apply.
About HCA at The Shard
HCA Healthcare UK at The Shard is the outpatient and diagnostics arm of HCA’s London Bridge presence — designed to give patients fast access to consultant appointments, advanced imaging and specialist services in one of London’s most iconic and accessible locations.
The facility sits inside The Shard building at 32 London Bridge Street — directly above London Bridge station, making it arguably the most transport-accessible private healthcare facility in London. Patients from South London, the City, Kent, Surrey and across South East England can reach it within minutes from multiple rail and tube connections.
It is important to understand what HCA at The Shard is and is not. It is not a hospital — there are no inpatient beds and no operating theatres. It is a specialist outpatient and diagnostics centre where patients see consultants, have scans arranged and plan their care pathways. When inpatient care or surgery is required, patients are transferred within the HCA network — most commonly to London Bridge Hospital which is immediately adjacent, or to The Wellington Hospital for complex cases.
This outpatient-first model suits many patients perfectly — particularly those who want a specialist opinion and diagnostic tests quickly, without committing to an inpatient facility until they know what treatment is needed. The combination of The Shard outpatient centre and London Bridge Hospital essentially gives HCA a complete private care pathway within a single London Bridge campus.
All major UK health insurers recognise HCA at The Shard. As an HCA London facility, London weighting surcharges may apply depending on your plan type — always confirm your specific cover before booking.
Services & diagnostics
What you can access at The Shard — and what requires referral to an HCA hospital.
Specialist Consultations
Initial and follow-up consultant appointments across multiple specialties — orthopaedics, cardiology, neurology, oncology, gastroenterology and more. Second opinions also available.
MRI & CT Scanning
Private MRI and CT scans with fast turnaround — reports typically within 24–48 hours. One of the most conveniently located private imaging centres in London. From approximately £550 for a single area MRI.
Echocardiography & Cardiac Tests
Echocardiograms, ECGs, cardiac monitoring and specialist cardiac consultations. Part of HCA’s broader cardiac network across London.
Blood Tests & Diagnostics
Comprehensive blood testing, pathology and diagnostic investigations — supporting both outpatient consultations and pre-operative workups.
Physiotherapy
Specialist physiotherapy — musculoskeletal, post-operative rehabilitation and sports injury. Appointments available directly or via consultant referral. Private physio costs guide →
Pre-Operative Assessments
Pre-operative workups for patients scheduled for surgery at London Bridge Hospital or other HCA facilities — bloods, ECG and anaesthetic assessment.
Prices & consultation costs (2026)
Indicative self-pay price ranges — always confirm directly when booking.
| Service | Typical Self-Pay Range (2026) | Insurance Usually Covers? |
|---|---|---|
| Initial specialist consultation | £250–£420 | ✅ Yes, with pre-auth |
| Follow-up consultation | £150–£300 | ✅ Yes |
| Private MRI (one area) | £550–£950 | ✅ Yes, if pre-authorised |
| Private CT scan | £600–£1,000 | ✅ Yes, if pre-authorised |
| Echocardiogram | £400–£700 | ✅ Yes |
| Ultrasound | £250–£500 | ✅ Yes, if pre-authorised |
| Physiotherapy (per session) | £80–£150 | ⚠️ Check outpatient limits |
| Blood tests (standard panel) | £100–£300 | ⚠️ Often outpatient benefit |
Prices are indicative 2026 ranges. Always confirm directly with HCA at The Shard before booking.
Want insurance that covers diagnostics at The Shard?
Compare policies from Bupa, AXA, Aviva & Vitality — free, no obligationWhich insurers cover HCA at The Shard?
All major UK health insurers accept HCA at The Shard — but outpatient limits and London surcharges matter.
HCA at The Shard is recognised by Bupa. London weighting surcharges may apply — check your specific plan. Bupa hospital list guide →
AXA covers HCA at The Shard on most plans. Pre-authorisation required. See also: Does AXA cover HCA London? →
Aviva covers HCA facilities. Check your outpatient limits for consultations and scans. Aviva hospital list →
Vitality covers HCA London facilities — surcharge may apply on standard plans. Vitality hospital list →
The Exeter covers London facilities subject to your plan limits. The Exeter hospital list →
For the full picture on which insurers cover HCA hospitals and at what cost: Which health insurers cover HCA hospitals in London? →
How to book at HCA The Shard
Get a GP referral (insured patients)
Most insurers require a GP referral before specialist appointments. Your GP should write an open referral to the relevant specialty. Digital GP services included in your policy (Bupa Digital GP, AXA Doctor at Hand, Vitality GP app) can also provide referrals quickly.
Pre-authorise with your insurer
Before booking any appointment, contact your insurer for a pre-authorisation code. Without this, outpatient claims may be refused. See our full pre-authorisation guide →
Book your appointment
Call HCA at The Shard on 020 7234 2009 with your pre-auth code, GP referral and insurer membership number ready. Appointments typically available within days for most specialties.
Self-pay patients
Self-pay patients can book directly without a GP referral for an initial consultation. Request a fixed-price quote for any scans before proceeding. Call 020 7234 2009.
Claims guides: Claim on Bupa → · Claim on AXA → · Claim on Vitality →
Clinic vs hospital — key differences
✅ HCA The Shard can do
- Specialist consultant appointments
- MRI, CT, ultrasound scanning
- Echocardiograms & cardiac tests
- Blood tests & diagnostic panels
- Physiotherapy sessions
- Pre-operative assessments
- Referral into HCA hospital network
❌ HCA The Shard cannot do
- Surgery of any kind — no theatres
- Overnight inpatient stays — no beds
- Emergency or A&E care
- Inpatient cancer treatment
- Complex cardiac procedures
- Neurosurgery
For full hospital services: London Bridge Hospital is immediately adjacent. For complex cases: The Wellington Hospital →
The HCA London network
HCA at The Shard is the outpatient entry point — these are the hospitals patients are referred to for inpatient care.
London Bridge Hospital
Immediately adjacent — HCA’s main South London inpatient facility. Complex surgery, cardiology & urgent care.
Full guide →The Wellington Hospital
HCA’s flagship London hospital in St John’s Wood — neuroscience, orthopaedics & complex surgery.
Full guide →The Lister Hospital
HCA Chelsea hospital — fertility, orthopaedics & general surgery in West London.
Full guide →The Portland Hospital
HCA’s leading maternity hospital — women’s health, fertility & paediatrics in Fitzrovia.
Full guide →Princess Grace Hospital
HCA Marylebone — London Breast Institute, orthopaedics & diagnostics.
Full guide →All HCA London Insurance Cover
Full matrix of which insurers cover each HCA hospital and what surcharges apply.
Insurance cover guide →Frequently asked questions
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