The verdict in three sentences
For a 4-clinic imaging group in Dublin, the website's first job is to take pressure off the front desk: booking by scan type, referral letter upload and clear preparation guides. A realistic budget is 14,000 to 28,000 EUR ex VAT, including 4,000 to 9,000 EUR for the booking module, with secure EU health-grade hosting and launch in 10 to 12 weeks. Aiming for 35 to 50% online bookings in year one is realistic if MRI and CT slots are configured properly.
The real problem: phones and poorly prepared patients
The medical director of a private group running two MRI scanners, two CT scanners and a dozen ultrasound and X-ray rooms across Dublin knows the pattern. Between 8 and 10 am, phone lines saturate, patients hang up and call back, and receptionists spend the morning explaining fasting rules for an abdominal CT or metal checks before an MRI. Some scans are cancelled on the day because the patient forgot the GP referral, previous images or a recent kidney function result.
The website must do two things. First, let the patient pick the right scan (knee MRI, chest CT, pelvic ultrasound, screening mammogram), the right clinic and a suitable slot, uploading a photo of the referral that staff validate before confirming. Second, publish 40 scan guides written with the radiologists: duration, preparation, contraindications, insurance cover with VHI, Laya or Irish Life Health, and what happens on the day. These guides answer very frequent searches and bring qualified local traffic.
Detailed 2026 budget
The figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude seen with Irish and UK agencies working for private imaging providers.
| Item | 2026 range (EUR ex VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Design and pages for 4 clinics | 4,000 to 7,000 | Access, hours, equipment, medical team |
| Writing and building 40 scan guides | 3,000 to 6,000 | Clinical sign-off, Medical Council advertising rules |
| Booking module by scan type | 4,000 to 9,000 | Duration rules, slots per machine, referral upload |
| Connector to RIS or existing scheduler | 1,500 to 4,000 | Depends on the radiology software vendor |
| GDPR and accessibility compliance | 1,000 to 2,000 | Consents, records, WCAG basics |
| Testing and front desk training | 500 to 1,000 | 2 half-days |
| Indicative total | 14,000 to 28,000 | 10 to 12 weeks |
Because referral letters are health data under GDPR Article 9, they must be stored on secure EU hosting with encryption, access logs and a data processing agreement. Plan 150 to 400 EUR ex VAT a month depending on volume and redundancy.
Off-the-shelf tool or dedicated build?
| Option | Cost | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer booking marketplace | 130 to 200 EUR per month per room or clinician | Instant visibility | Weak support for per-machine rules and specific preparation |
| Module from the RIS vendor | 3,000 to 8,000 EUR + subscription | Native calendar link | Often dated interface, little control over the flow |
| Custom site with dedicated module | 14,000 to 28,000 EUR ex VAT | Flow tailored to each scan, guides built in | Needs precise scoping with radiographers |
| Secure health-grade hosting | 150 to 400 EUR ex VAT per month | Compliance | Recurring cost to budget |
| Application maintenance | 300 to 800 EUR ex VAT per month | Updates, security | Contract needed from day one |
The best approach is often to keep the RIS calendar as the reference and build a custom patient journey on top. Business rules (a contrast MRI takes 30 minutes, no contrast CT without a recent eGFR for patients over 65) are coded into the module rather than left to the patient. This is a custom web application project, and data security can be audited by our cybersecurity team.
What actually lifts online booking rates
Three settings make the difference. Show real slots over the next 15 days, not a callback request. Keep the mobile form to 6 fields at most, since more than 70% of visits come from smartphones. Send an SMS reminder two days before with the preparation guide, which sharply cuts no-shows and same-day cancellations.
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Mini case study
Dr Siobhán Kelly, medical director of a 4-clinic imaging group in Dublin, receives about 1,200 calls a week. Each booking call lasts 4 minutes on average, or 80 front desk hours weekly. She invests 22,000 EUR ex VAT in the site and module, plus 250 EUR a month for secure hosting and 500 EUR for maintenance, so 31,000 EUR in year one. If 40% of appointments move online, the group saves 32 front desk hours per week. At a loaded cost of 30 EUR per hour over 46 weeks, savings reach about 44,200 EUR a year. The project pays back in under 9 months, before counting scans no longer cancelled for poor preparation.
FAQ
How much does a medical imaging centre website cost in Dublin in 2026?
Budget 14,000 to 28,000 EUR ex VAT for a multi-clinic site with booking by scan type, referral upload and 40 preparation guides. Add 150 to 400 EUR a month for secure health-grade hosting.
Do we need special hosting for referral letters?
Yes, referrals are special category data under GDPR and must sit on encrypted EU hosting with access logs. Fines can reach 4% of global turnover, far above a few hundred euros of monthly hosting.
Can the module connect to our RIS?
In most cases yes, through the vendor's interface, for 1,500 to 4,000 EUR ex VAT of development. Otherwise staff approve each request in one click before confirmation.
What online booking rate can we expect?
A target of 35 to 50% in year one is realistic for ultrasound, X-ray and CT. Contrast MRI bookings are often still validated by staff.
How long does the project take?
Plan 10 to 12 weeks, including 3 weeks to write and approve the 40 guides with radiologists. Front desk training fits in two half-days.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of clinics, imaging modalities and current software, and we will scope the patient journey and launch plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
