Multiparametric MRI usage data for your Trust
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
Please note with immediate effect, the RCHT Freedom of Information email
address has changed to [1][Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust request email] I would be most grateful if
you could please update your records to ensure that any future
correspondence is dealt with promptly.
Dear Mr Abrams,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST Ref: 1378
Thank you for your request for information as detailed below (if I have
misunderstood any part of your request, please let me know as soon as
possible, otherwise I shall continue to retrieve the information as
outlined):
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:
[2]* Make
[3]* Model
[4]* Magnetic field strength
[5]* Age
[6]* When the scanner is due to be replaced
4) How many mpMRI scans before prostate biopsy do you estimate you
carry out per year?
[7]* 0
[8]* Up to 50
[9]* 50 – 100
[10]* 100 – 250
[11]* 250 – 500
[12]* 500 – 750
[13]* 750 – 1000
[14]* More than 1000
5) 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
([15]http://abstract.asco.org/176/AbstView_17...).
a) If yes, do you currently have sufficient resources and capacity
to cope with this increase?
Your request was received 9^th June 2016 and I am dealing with it under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case I will
let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be
required to pay before I will proceed to deal with your request.
You will receive the information requested within 20 working days unless
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Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House
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Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 54 57 45
[16]www.ico.gov.uk
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any
queries or concerns (please remember to quote the reference number in any
future correspondence).
Yours sincerely
Steve Rowe
Freedom of Information Officer
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust request email]
15. http://abstract.asco.org/176/AbstView_17
16. http://www.ico.gov.uk/
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Dear Mr Abrams,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST Ref: 1378
Your request for information has now been considered and the response is
attached.
If you have any queries or concerns then please do not hesitate to contact
me (please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications).
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Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ or
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Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the
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The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 54 57 45
[3]www.ico.gov.uk
Yours sincerely
Steve Rowe
Freedom of Information Officer
Please note with immediate effect, the RCHT Freedom of Information email
address has changed to [4][Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust request email] I would be most grateful if
you could please update your records to ensure that any future
correspondence is dealt with promptly.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y7T2N78
2. mailto:[Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust request email]
3. http://www.ico.gov.uk/
4. mailto:[Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust request email]
Dear Steve,
Many thanks for your response. Since you answered 'yes' to Q5i, please can you send a specific response to Q5ii:
5.ii. If yes, do you currently have sufficient resources and capacity to cope with this increase?
You mention a new scanner coming in Jan 2017, so please answer the above question with that in mind, i.e. once the new scanner arrives, will you have sufficient resources and capacity to cope with the increase?
Many thanks,
Ali Cooper
Dear Dr Cooper,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust intends to commence multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scans in January 2017 with the installation of its new Philips Ingenia machine. Currently the Trust is unable to perform mpMRI scans due to the inadequate imaging diffusion of the current MRI machines.
As The Trust does not carry out mpMRI scans at present it would be difficult to give a fuller answer to 5a on the expected increase other than the Trust is committed to commence scans as soon as the new machine is installed. The Philips Ingenia will run alongside the two current scanners providing extra resources and capacity to allow the Trust to commence mpMRI scans in January 2017.
I hope this answers your question, if not please contact me again.
Yours sincerely
Steve Rowe
Freedom of Information Officer
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