§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total annual cost for the past two to three years to the National Health Service of the diagnostic radiology service; and if he will carry out an investigation into the possible over-use of X-rays.
§ Dr. VaughanThe total revenue cost of radiodiagnostic departments in the National Health Service in England for the past three years was: 1976–77 £56.1 million; 1977–78 £630 million; 1978–79 £71.1 million. Full capital costs are not available, but the approximate annual total of capital expenditure by the National Health Service in England and Wales on new diagnostic X-ray equipment was: 1976–77 £15.5 million; 1977–78 £17.0 million; 1978–79 £18.3 million.
The National Radiological Protection Board has recently completed a frequency survey of diagnostic radiological examinations carried out in NHS hospitals in Great Britain in 1977. The use of X-ray examinations is a matter of clinical judgment within the resources available. The Royal College of Radiologists is already undertaking studies into the usefulness of 718W particular categories of X-ray examination with financial assistance from the Department.