§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether(a) CT scans and (b) MRI scans are included in figures for (i) in-patient and (ii) out-patient waiting times; and if he will make a statement. [75986]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 24 October 2002]Information on computerised tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is not collected centrally. Waiting times for consultant-led in-patient elective admissions and consultant-led first out-patient appointments, following general practitioner referral, are collected on the consultant's main specialty not by procedure. CT scans and MRI scans will be included in the figures if they take place as an elective in-patient admission or as a first out-patient appointment, but will not be separately identifiable.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for a neuro-physiology(a) diagnostic test and (b) consultant appointment at (i) Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and (ii) Yeovil District Hospital; how many of these have waited more than (A) three, (B) six, (C) nine, (D) 12, (E) 15, (F) 18 and (G) 24 months; and if he will make a statement. [75990]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 24 October 2002]Information is not collected centrally on the number of patients waiting for diagnostic tests and consultant appointments.
Information is collected on waiting times for first out-patient appointment for clinical neuro-physiology consultant specialty. There are no data held centrally for Taunton and Somerset National Health Service Trust for this specialty. For East Somerset NHS Trust there were no patients waiting over 13 weeks as at 30 June 2002, the most recent date for which information is available.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each NHS Trust have been waiting more than(a) six, (b) 12, (c) 18 and (d) 24 months for (i) CT and (ii) MRI scans; and if he will make a statement. [75991]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 24 October 2000]Information on waiting times for magnetic resource imaging (MRI) scans is not collected centrally. The length of time that a patient may have to wait for any scan is dependent on their clinical condition. Emergency cases need to be seen immediately. Other cases will be672W carried out as quickly as possible, however this is dependent on the clinical priority of all the remaining patients waiting to be scanned. To increase the capacity of diagnostic services, we are making unprecedented investment for the provision of new and replacement scanners. By 2004, 88 new MRI scanners and 186 new computed tomography (CT) scanners will have been delivered through central purchasing initiatives. In addition to this, workforce initiatives are underway that aim to improve recruitment and retention of staff and we are streamlining the way care is delivered through the cancer services collaborative.