Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of administering intra-joint injections by ultrasound instead of by x-ray to reduce costs.

No specific assessment has been made. Decisions to adopt new clinical interventions or approaches would be a matter for local NHS services, taking into account the available evidence on safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness, as well as any relevant guidance.