To ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for routine MRI scans;
(2) what representations she has received on waiting times for routine MRI scans;
(3) what assessment she has made of the effects of delayed MRI scans.
To address concerns expressed from various sources about waits for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, we have introduced a target that, by 2008, no patient will have to wait more than 18 weeks from referral to start of hospital treatment. This will include any diagnostics tests or procedures leading up to the start of treatment. To support this, in addition to investing in additional capacity in the national health service, 40,000 additional MRI scans per annum have been procured from the independent sector through the use of state-of-the-art mobile scanning units. We are also in the process of procuring a further £200 million worth of diagnostic capacity from the independent sector, as announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, in September 2004.
As part of their local delivery plans, strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been asked to produce trajectories showing planned reductions in maximum waiting times for such tests. New data systems will allow assessment of performance against the SHAs' trajectories.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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