Cobalt Health

What Cobalt Health does

Cobalt Health is a UK medical charitable trust (Charity No. 1090790; Company No. 4366596), founded in 1964 by Dr Fred Hanna and headquartered at Linton House Clinic in Cheltenham, which provides diagnostic and screening imaging to NHS and private patients through a multi-site estate. The charity supports over 150,000–160,000 patients annually via two fixed Imaging Centres (Cheltenham, and the ITM Imaging Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in partnership with the University of Birmingham), Community Diagnostic Centres in Gloucester and Dudley, and a nationwide fleet of mobile 1.5T and 3.0T MRI, CT, and PET/CT scanners deployed to NHS Trusts — including what is described as one of Europe's only 3.0 Tesla mobile MRI units. The core technology stack is medical imaging hardware from Siemens (Biograph Vision digital PET/CT, SOMATOM go.Top/go.All CT, Aera mobile MRI) integrated with NHS PACS for image transmission, supplemented by first-to-UK patient-experience technology (Innovision in-bore infotainment) and a research radiology layer that supports 63 active clinical trials (1,136 research scans last year) and a £25m+ research grants track-record via Prof. Iain Lyburn.

The operating model blends NHS service contracts, mobile scanner hire (with dedicated radiographers and PACS integration), self-pay and private-medical-insurance scanning at published unit prices (MRI £366–£1,477, CT £492–£939, PET/CT £1,255), clinical trial imaging, and charitable donations/legacies. The revenue mix is dominated by NHS work — Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England for the Targeted Lung Health Check across 8 regions — with a secondary private-pay channel accepting BUPA, CIGNA, AXA/PPP, AVIVA, Vitality and other major insurers. Donation and grant income funds capital equipment (a £2.6m PET/CT install co-funded with the Clive Richards Foundation; the Julia Rausing Trust championing dementia research) and 88p of every £1 of voluntary income is reported as spent on charitable work. Quality and regulatory positioning is a defining operating feature: ISO 9001 since 1994, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, BS 70000:2017-aligned and UKAS-accredited MPACE services, Cyber Essentials Plus, and a CQC Overall Outstanding rating (March 2026, with Safe=Good and four other categories Outstanding). Leadership is currently transitioning, with CEO Jim Brown (ex-British Army, joined 2025) and a recently appointed Medical Director overseeing operations alongside a Director of Clinical Operations, a research directorate, and 200+ volunteers.

Name

Cobalt Health

Legal name

Cobalt Health

Website

https://cobalthealth.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cobalt Health is a UK medical charity that provides diagnostic imaging (MRI, PET/CT, CT, X-ray, Ultrasound) to over 150,000 NHS and private patients annually through fixed Imaging Centres, Community Diagnostic Centres, and a nationwide fleet of mobile MRI, CT and PET/CT scanners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diagnostic Imaging Services

NAICS

Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Imaging Services (HLAFAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SPECT/PET) (HLAHABAE), Nuclear Medicine Clinical Services & Therapy Centers (HLAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Diagnostic imaging services
• Medical charity
• Mobile MRI scanners
• PET/CT imaging
• NHS radiology

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheltenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. NHS Service Contracts: Provides diagnostic imaging services to NHS hospitals and healthcare providers through contracted service agreements, including PET/CT services for NHS patients in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and beyond
2. Self-Pay Diagnostic Imaging: Private patients pay directly for diagnostic scans including MRI, CT, PET/CT, X-ray, and Ultrasound at published pricing
3. Private Medical Insurance: Bills private medical insurance companies for diagnostic imaging services; has agreements with major insurers including BUPA, CIGNA, AXA/PPP, AVIVA, Vitality and others
4. Mobile Scanner Hire Services: Hires mobile MRI, CT, and PET/CT scanners to NHS Trusts for on-site services, providing dedicated radiographers and seamless PACS integration
5. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: Receives donations, fundraising income, and grants from supporters including Clive Richards Foundation and other donors to fund equipment and research
6. Research Grants and Clinical Trials: Provides imaging services for clinical research trials and receives grant funding for research projects in cancer and dementia imaging

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Cobalt Health is a UK medical charity that operates diagnostic imaging services for the NHS and private patients, delivered through fixed Imaging Centres and a national fleet of mobile MRI, CT and PET/CT scanners. Its core service is the provision of advanced imaging scans (MRI 1.5T/3.0T, CT, PET/CT, X-ray, Ultrasound) together with mobile scanner hire, a Targeted Lung Health Check programme, clinical research imaging, and a 12-month MRI training and education programme for radiographers and clinicians.

Product overview

Cobalt Health is a medical charity providing diagnostic imaging services to support the NHS, operating a comprehensive portfolio of imaging technologies and facilities. The core offerings include static and mobile MRI scanning services (1.5T and 3.0T), CT scanning (Siemens SOMATOM systems), PET/CT imaging (Siemens Biograph Vision digital scanner), X-ray, and Ultrasound. These are delivered through Imaging Centres in Cheltenham and Birmingham (ITM Imaging Centre), Community Diagnostic Centres in Gloucester and Dudley, and a fleet of mobile MRI, PET/CT, and CT scanners serving NHS Trusts nationwide. The organization also supports targeted lung health check programmes, provides clinical research imaging services, and delivers education/training programmes for medical professionals including MRI training and MSK conferences. The company was rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in March 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MRI Scanning Magnetic Resonance Imaging services using 1.5T and 3.0T scanners for high-quality diagnostic imaging across multiple body areas and specialties, delivered through Imaging Centres and a national mobile fleet to NHS, privately insured and self-pay patients referred by consultants, GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths and dentists.
• CT Scanning Computed Tomography scans using Siemens SOMATOM go.Top and go.All systems for detailed cross-sectional imaging of the body, delivered at Imaging Centres, Community Diagnostic Centres and via the mobile CT fleet for routine scanning and lung cancer screening.
• PET/CT Scanning Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography imaging using the Siemens Biograph Vision digital scanner for cancer diagnosis and staging, dementia assessment and research, delivered at the Cheltenham Imaging Centre and via mobile deployment to NHS hospitals.
• X-ray Services Standard X-ray imaging services including a recently upgraded digital X-ray suite with a premium system and advanced features, available to NHS and private patients.
• Ultrasound Scanning Diagnostic ultrasound imaging services covering a range of clinical applications, available to self-pay and insured patients at Cobalt's imaging centres.
• Mobile MRI Scanning Service (Hire) Fleet of mobile 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners with dedicated radiographers deployed to NHS Trusts across England, integrating with hospital PACS for seamless image transmission. Includes one of Europe's only 3.0 Tesla Mobile MRI Scanners, used on-site for elite sport and routine diagnostic imaging.
• Mobile CT Scanning Service (Hire) Modern low-dose mobile CT scanners with supporting units (reception, waiting and consultation areas) providing CT scanning capacity at NHS hospitals, including ultra-low-dose capability for the Targeted Lung Health Check programme.
• Mobile PET/CT Scanning Service (Hire) Mobile PET/CT service featuring Siemens Biograph mCT Flow PET/CT technology with wide-bore design and integrated support unit with three uptake rooms plus Medrad Intego infusion system, deployed to NHS hospitals across the UK.
• Self-Pay Scan Services Direct access diagnostic imaging for self-paying patients with published unit pricing from £149 (X-ray) to £1,477 (6-part MRI) and optional contrast injections, with private medical insurance accepted from BUPA, CIGNA, AXA/PPP, AVIVA, Vitality and others.
• Rapid Access Clinic Priority-booking orthopaedic/joint scan service with specialised Consultant Radiologist supervision and a 0–48 hour report turnaround, available via the self-pay channel with agreements covering major private health insurers.
• Targeted Lung Health Check Programme NHS-supported lung cancer screening programme using mobile CT units to screen high-risk populations aged 55–75, deployed across Manchester, Hull, Bedfordshire, Newcastle, North East Lincolnshire and additional NHS regions.
• MRI Training Programme Structured 12-month MRI training programme covering MRI safety, physics and imaging techniques, including Society and College of Radiographers recognised IV cannulation training, for radiographers and clinical staff.
• Medical Education Events Free CPD education events for medical professionals including MSK and oncology lectures, an annual MSK Imaging Conference and a presence at the UK Imaging and Oncology Congress.
• Clinical Research Support Imaging services and grant funding for clinical trials and translational research in cancer, dementia and other conditions, supporting 63 clinical trials and 1,136 research scans in the past year, with research grants ranging from £2,000 to £20,000 per project.
• ITM Imaging Centre Birmingham Research-focused imaging centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham housing an ultra-high-field MRI scanner partnered with the Institute of Translational Medicine, the University of Birmingham and QEHB, supporting clinical trials in oncology, cardiac disease, stroke, brain tumours, liver disease and neurology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of patients would recommend Cobalt
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Podium Institute (University of Oxford)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on world-first concussion study using Europe's only 3.0T mobile MRI scanner at Gloucester Rugby matches. Cobalt provides on-site imaging within hours of suspected head impacts for elite rugby players.
• University of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ITM Imaging Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham hosting research-focused MRI scanner for translational research in cancer, dementia, and other conditions.
• Royal Brompton HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in lung cancer screening programme providing mobile CT scanning units to support the Royal Brompton's fast-track lung cancer service.
• NHS EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme across 8 regions in England, providing mobile CT scanners for early lung cancer detection in high-mortality communities.
• NHS TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mobile MRI, CT, and PET/CT services to NHS Trusts across the UK including routine scanning, specialist imaging, and research support with PACS integration.
• Gloucestershire NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for clinical trials and community engagement in research participation.
• University of GloucestershireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts annual MSK Imaging Conference at University of Gloucestershire Park Campus for medical professional education.
• Private Medical InsurerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreements with major health insurers including BUPA (60010581), CIGNA, AXA/PPP (41985), CS Healthcare, WPA, Exeter, AVIVA, Benenden, Vitality for diagnostic imaging services.
• NIHRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Institute for Health and Care Research partnership for patient research participation information.
• Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProcesses online donations to Cobalt and passes donor details for communication preferences.
• Gloucester RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in concussion study with mobile 3.0T MRI scanner for elite men's and women's teams.
• Cheltenham General HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBase location for Cobalt's Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer Nurse Specialist Megan Willsher.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Spire Healthcare: Spire Healthcare is one of the largest private hospital groups in the UK with on-site diagnostic imaging. A broad incumbent where imaging is part of a wider private healthcare offering rather than a specialist focus.
• Ramsay Health Care UK: Ramsay Health Care is a major private hospital operator in the UK offering diagnostic imaging, including MRI, CT and PET/CT, as part of a broader acute care portfolio. A broader incumbent with overlapping imaging capabilities.
• Nuffield Health: Nuffield Health is a UK not-for-profit healthcare operator with diagnostic imaging as part of hospital services. A broad incumbent with overlapping imaging capabilities, especially within a charity/not-for-profit context.

Direct peers

• Alliance Medical: Alliance Medical operates the largest mobile PET/CT and MRI fleet in Europe and provides diagnostic imaging services to NHS Trusts. Closest functional peer for Cobalt's mobile PET/CT and nuclear imaging offering.
• InHealth Group: InHealth is the UK's largest specialist provider of diagnostic and healthcare solutions to the NHS, operating mobile MRI, CT, PET/CT and community diagnostic centres. Direct competition with Cobalt across NHS mobile imaging contracts and Community Diagnostic Centre tenders.
• Medical Imaging Partnership: Medical Imaging Partnership provides diagnostic imaging services (MRI, CT, PET/CT) to the NHS and private patients, including mobile and static-site provision. Directly comparable business model and customer mix to Cobalt Health.
• Medica Group plc: Medica is a UK provider of teleradiology and managed imaging services for the NHS. Adjacent but comparable in serving NHS diagnostic demand through outsourced imaging expertise.
• 18 Week Support: 18 Week Support delivers mobile diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, endoscopy) to NHS hospitals to reduce waiting lists. Competes head-to-head with Cobalt's mobile fleet in NHS contract bids.
• Diagnostic Healthcare: Diagnostic Healthcare is a UK provider of mobile MRI, CT, and DEXA scanning services to the NHS and private sector. Directly comparable on mobile imaging fleet, NHS contracts, and self-pay diagnostic service offering.
• Regent's Park Healthcare: Regent's Park Healthcare provides diagnostic imaging services (MRI, CT) to NHS and private patients in the UK, including self-pay scans. Comparable service portfolio and self-pay/NHS revenue mix to Cobalt.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CobaltCheltenham
• Facebookfacebook.com/CobaltImaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cobalt-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/cobalt_health
• Xx.com/cobaltimaging

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cobalt Health