§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of positron emission tomography scanners in the early diagnosis of lung cancer; and if he will make a statement; [175706]
(2) what assessment he has made of the demand for positron emission tomography scans in the NHS: [175707]
(3) what plans he has to increase the number of positron emission tomography scanners in the NHS. [175708]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonPositron emission tomography (PET) is still a relatively new technology and there is evidence of its potential benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of a limited number of tumours, including lung cancer.
The Department is currently working with the national health service, the clinical community and research stakeholders to develop a framework for the provision of PET scanners in England. This will set out, from the evidence, which tumour groups would benefit from PET scanning, likely future demand, and consider the optimal configuration and possible location of PET scanners in England. This will be sent out to stakeholders for consultation in early summer.
It will be for local health communities to consider the framework when it is published and decide whether to adopt this technology based on local needs and circumstances.