§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decisions to withdraw treatment from hospital patients. [179087]
§ Mr. GardinerThe decision to commence or end treatment is made by clinical staff on an individual basis, taking account of the patient's clinical condition and the relative merits and potential side effects of any particular treatment. Informed consent is an important element, as are a patient's personal wishes regarding treatment and resuscitation.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to ensure that all patients requiring MRI scans are receiving them promptly. [179115]
§ Mr. GardinerMRI provision in Northern Ireland is being enhanced to reduce waiting times for patients. There are currently seven MRI scanners available across the Province and three more are planned for later this year at Antrim, Craigavon, and Belfast City hospitals. A number of measures have also been taken to reduce waiting times for MRI scans including the introduction of evening scanning sessions at the Royal Group of Hospitals, use of mobile scanners, and use of private facilities.