To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new DXA bone density scanners were purchased by strategic health authorities in financial year 2005-06; how many patients were referred to the private sector for bone density scans in that year; what steps have been taken to ensure recurrent funding for running costs for DXA scanners; and if she will make a statement. (81624)

The data requested in relation to the number of new dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density scanner purchased by strategic health authorities and the number of patients referred to the private sector for bone density scans, are not collected by the Department.

By December 2008, the patient pathway should be 18 weeks inclusive of out-patients, diagnostics, and in-patients waits. National health service organisations are developing local plans to achieve this pathway within the funding allocated to them. Primary care trusts (PCTs) were informed of their revenue allocations up to 2007-08 on 9 February 2005. The 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations represent £135 billion investment in the NHS, £64 billion to PCTs in 2006-07 and £70 billion in 2007-08. The Department has no plans to make additional recurrent funding available to PCTs to cover the running costs of DXA scanners.