Request 1 |
Activity and waiting times Please confirm how many of the following diagnostic tests have been carried out in your area in each financial year since April 2013: (a) x-ray; (b) ultrasound; (c) CT scan; (d) MRI scan; (e) gastroscopy; (f) colonoscopy; (g) flexible sigmoidoscopy; and (h) histopathology. |
Response 1 |
Data on diagnostic waiting times and activity is available publicly: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/. X-Ray and histopathology are not included in this and we do not hold this data. |
Request 2 |
Please confirm what the average waiting time in your CGG was for the following tests in each financial year since April 2013: (a) x-ray; (b) ultrasound; (c) CT scan; (d) MRI scan; (e) gastroscopy; (f) colonoscopy; (g) flexible sigmoidoscopy; and (h) histopathology. |
Response 2 |
Data on diagnostic waiting times and activity is available publicly: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/. X-Ray and histopathology are not included in this and we do not hold this data. |
Request 3 |
Funding Please confirm your CCG's budget allocation to fund imaging, pathology and endoscopy activity in each financial year since April 2013, and what it is forecast to be in 2017/18. |
Response 3 |
We do not hold a budget specifically for diagnostics as a significant number of diagnostic test costs are bundled in the Inpatient/Outpatient tariff. We therefore pay the cost for an admission/A&E or outpatient attendance, which will include the cost of diagnostics. |
Request 4 |
Please confirm whether your CCG received additional funding from the National Diagnostics Capacity Fund to increase capacity and productivity of diagnostic services. If so, how much. |
Response 4 |
None. |
Request 5 |
Plans to invest and monitoring Please confirm how your CCG assesses anticipated changes in demand for (a) x-ray; (b) ultrasound; (c) CT scan; (d) MRI scan; (e) gastroscopy; (f) colonoscopy; (g) flexible sigmoidoscopy; and (h) histopathology, and what assessment it has made of projected changes in demand. |
Response 5 |
Changes in demand are assessed are part of wider planning processes and are not split as requested. |
Request 6 |
Please confirm whether your CCG has plans to improve and expand diagnostic capacity in 2017/18 and, if so, what those plans are. |
Response 6 |
We will be reviewing our diagnostic capacity in 2017-18 as part of a wider CCG review. |
Request 7 |
Please confirm how your CCG monitors capacity and performance for (a) x-ray; (b) ultrasound; (c) CT scan; (d) MRI scan; (e) gastroscopy; (f) colonoscopy; (g) flexible sigmoidoscopy; and (h) histopathology. |
Response 7 |
Diagnostic waits and activity are subject to a national return that is analysed monthly and monitored through relevant CCG processes and committees. |
Request 8 |
If diagnostic capacity has not been subject to increased investment, which of the 9 ‘must dos’ from the 2016/17 NHS England planning guidance have been prioritised? |
Response 8 |
Investment will have increased in line with contractual agreement to ensure 6ww diagnostic targets are achieved at a local level. |
Request 9 |
Referral management centres Please confirm whether your CCG operates or commissions a referral management centre that assesses referrals by local GPs. |
Response 9 |
No, the CCG does not operate or commission a referral management centre that assesses referrals by local GPs. |
Request 10 |
If yes to question nine, please confirm whether the list of specialities that fall under the referral management centre’s remit include suspected cancer cases. |
Response 10 |
Not Applicable. |