Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the regional variation in GP direct access to brain MRI and CT head scans.

The Diagnostic Imaging Data set (DID) provides data on where a test was requested via GP Direct Access (GPDA). This information is available for the following tests:

- chest X-rays;

- computed tomography chest scans;

- computed tomography abdomen and pelvis scans;

- ultrasounds for the abdomen and pelvis; and

- brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Data for computed tomography head scans is not included as part of the DID, under the current collection. Further information on the DID is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostic-imaging-dataset/

The data shows that for the five tests where data on GPDA referral information is collected, the total number of GPDA tests has increased by 23% or 695,000 tests when comparing activity in 2023/24, the latest 12 months for which data is available, and 2021/22, the financial year prior to the publication of the draft GPDA guidance in November 2022. For brain magnetic resonance imaging specifically, the number of GP Direct Access tests increased by 33% or 32,000 tests between 2021/22 and 2023/4.

Assessments of variation in the referral rates of each test were conducted prior to the publication of the guidance and are set out in the published data linked above. The data shows there is still variation in referral rates.

NHS England is undertaking an extensive programme of communications and engagement to improve awareness of the GPDA guidance, including general practice webinars, dissemination through key partner organisations, inclusion with National Health Service planning guidance, and press releases.

We know there is further to go to ensure all parts of the country are using this scheme where appropriate and we are working to see these approaches adopted on a much wider scale.