§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for providing in the National Health Service a forward-planning programme for the replacement and capital purchase of X-ray equipment.
§ Mr. MoyleThe replacement and capital purchase of X-ray equipment is a matter for the regional health authorities to plan, and some £15 million per year is being spent by them for this purpose. The evidence from surveys made in 1968 and 1974 is that X-ray equipment is being steadily replaced on average after eight to 12 years depending on the circumstances of its use.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available for the amount and proportion of the national health budget allocated for the provision of X-ray equipment; and what plans he has to make a specific annual allocation for the provision and replacement of X-ray equipment.
§ Mr. MoyleNo part of the funds available for the National Health Service is allocated to health authorities specifically488W for the purchase of X-ray equipment, and there are no plans to make such allocations. The latest estimate of the amount to be spent by health authorities in England on the purchase of X-ray and other electro-medical equipment for the current financial year is about £15 million: this represents approximately 0.4 per cent. of their total allocation.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many outpatients had to revisit hospitals for X-ray purposes due to the failure of the X-ray apparatus on their first visit.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest figure available for the average age of X-ray equipment in use in the United Kingdom; what is the average normal life of this equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe average age of X-ray equipment is about eight to nine years. The life of X-ray equipment depends on the extent of its use. A generator in constant and heavy use might last for eight to nine years, but one more lightly used could last much longer. An analysis of X-ray generators removed from use between 1968 and 1974 indicated that the average normal life was 12 to 14 years, but a significant number had been replaced which were less than 10 years old while others were more than 15 years old.