Multiparametric MRI usage data for your Trust

The request was successful.

Martin Abrams (Prostate Cancer UK)

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act to request the following information from your Trust.

Within your Trust, we would be grateful for the following information at your earliest convenience:

1. Do you conduct multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scans (using T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted and dynamically enhanced sequences) before prostate biopsies?

If no, it would be helpful to know what the main reasons are:
If yes, it would be helpful if you can you provide an estimate of the percentage of men who receive an mpMRI scan before prostate biopsy:

2. How many scanners do you have available to use for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy?

3. For each individual scanner used for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy, please provide the following:
• Make
• Model
• Magnetic field strength
• Age
• When the scanner is due to be replaced

4. How many mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy do you estimate you carry out per year?
• 0
• Up to 50
• 50 -100
• 100 – 250
• 250 – 500
• 500 – 750
• 750 – 1000
• More than 1000

5.i. Do you intend to increase the number of mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy following the first results from the large clinical trial PROMIS?

The ASCO 2016 abstract has shown mpMRI as a triage test can identify one quarter of men (27%) who might safely avoid unnecessary biopsy, without impairing the detection of clinically significant cancer (http://abstract.asco.org/176/AbstView_17...).

5.ii If yes, do you currently have sufficient resources and capacity to cope with this increase?

The information you provide may be re-used publicly. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Ali Cooper
Knowledge Manager
Prostate Cancer UK
4th Floor, Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2QN

0203 310 7000

Martin Abrams (Prostate Cancer UK)

Dear North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust,

The response to this FOI request is now overdue. Please can you send a reply asap?

Many thanks,
Ali Cooper

Sent request to North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust again, using a new contact address.

Sent request to North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust again.

Martin Abrams (Prostate Cancer UK)

Dear North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust,

Please can you acknowledge you have received this FOI request?

Many thanks,
Ali Cooper

freedomofinformation (NORTH MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST), North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Dear Mr Abrams

Re: Your Request for Information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

I acknowledge your request for information.
Your request is being considered and a response will be sent to you as soon as possible. I cannot confirm whether the Trust holds this information at present. The Trust aims to provide the information requested within 20 working days, as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact me at the above address.

Further information is available from:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Anne Appadoo
Head of Information Governance
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

show quoted sections

freedomofinformation (NORTH MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NHS TRUST), North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Dear Dr Cooper

Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please see below for the response to your enquiries provided by a Trust's clinical lead for Radiololgy.

1. Do you conduct multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scans (using T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted and dynamically enhanced sequences) before prostate biopsies?
Yes, greater than 95% patients. The only time we do not is when the patient cannot have IV gadolinium, usually due to renal impairment

If no, it would be helpful to know what the main reasons are:
If yes, it would be helpful if you can you provide an estimate of the percentage of men who receive an mpMRI scan before prostate biopsy:

2. How many scanners do you have available to use for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy?

One MRI scanner.

3. For each individual scanner used for mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy, please provide the following:
• MakePhilips
• ModelAchieva Entera
• Magnetic field strength 3T
• Age7 years (since Jan 2009)
• When the scanner is due to be replaced1-2 years

4. How many mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy do you estimate you carry out per year?
• 100 – 250

5.i. Do you intend to increase the number of mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy following the first results from the large clinical trial PROMIS?

The ASCO 2016 abstract has shown mpMRI as a triage test can identify one quarter of men (27%) who might safely avoid unnecessary biopsy, without impairing the detection of clinically significant cancer (http://abstract.asco.org/176/AbstView_17...).

5.ii If yes, do you currently have sufficient resources and capacity to cope with this increase?

As answered previously we already perform mpMRI scans in almost all patients anyway so there is little scope for increasing numbers.

If you require any further information, please contact me via this email address.

I should advise that if you are not satisfied with the above response you may, under the trust's complaints procedure, write to the chief executive requesting an internal review. The address to write to is:

The Chief Executive,
Trust Head Quarters
Admin Block
Sterling Way,
N18 1QX

Email [email address]

requesting an internal review.

If you remain dissatisfied with the Trust’s decision following your complaint, you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision under Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF.
Telephone: 01625 545700
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Anne Appadoo
Head of Information Governance
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

show quoted sections