§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the steps that need to be taken before an additional CT scanner can be installed at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. [93374]
§ Jacqui SmithBefore any computed tomography (CT) scanner can be installed in the national health service, European Union legislation requires that a 1009W formal procurement process must be undertaken. This consists of an advert in the Official Journal of the European Community, followed by an evaluation of interested suppliers and an invitation to offer via tender. Once contracts have been signed, the successful supplier will agree a suitable delivery date with the NHS trust concerned.
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre NHS trust has made a bid for central funding from the Department of Health to allow the capital purchase of an additional CT scanner, as part of the NHS Cancer Plan programme. The final stages of a consultation process with strategic health authorities, cancer networks and local commissioners will shortly confirm whether the trust has been successful in securing such funding.