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FOI Disclosure Log

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CCG 1081 Diagnostic testing activity, planning and funding within the NHS

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.