To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has explored options to extend the operational life of diagnostic scanners beyond their standard lifespan where safe and clinically appropriate, in order to boost provision of service.

My Department’s Regional Medical Imaging Board monitors the use, configuration and age of all imaging equipment across imaging services in Health and Social Care and has developed a system for prioritising the replacement of equipment and the procurement of additional equipment in line with population needs and available budget. Each Trust manages aged equipment in accordance with its local governance processes and is assisted by expert advice from medical physics colleagues.