Written question asked by Lord Walton of Detchant (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 March 2012.

Health: In-vitro Diagnostic Tests

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government how widely available in-vitro diagnostic tests are in the National Health Service; and how such testing is regulated.

Answer: In-vitro diagnostic tests play a key role in the National Health Service and a wide range of tests and equipment is available to allow rapid diagnosis, screening for disease, identifying, monitoring and managing treatment and ensure the safety of blood supplies for transfusion. In-vitro diagnostic testing should be quality assured by a range of internal and external quality assurance procedures within all laboratories and this also forms part of the external laboratory accreditation system which operates within the United Kingdom. Medically qualified pathologists are registered with the General Medical Council and non-medical clinical scientists with the Health Professions Council. Pathology services in general also form part of the Care Quality Commission's assessment of hospitals.

Secondary information