Written question asked by Lord Risby (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2010. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Aortic Aneurysm: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of bringing forward the timetable for full implementation of the NHS abdominal aortic screening programme, with particular reference to (a) feasibility, (b) cost and (c) the likely effects on mortality rates of the early implementation of that programme.

Answer: Immediate implementation was considered as an option and a full analysis of the cost and mortality rates of this approach was made and compared to the analysis of phased implementation. However in common with all other national screening programmes, this programme needs to have a managed national roll out to realise the benefits of the combination of screening to safe and effective standards. Early implementation would not have allowed sufficient time to reorganise treatment services in order to minimise mortality and morbidity in patients having planned surgery.

Secondary information