DEXA scans (FOI)

​​​Request

A

How many people are currently waiting for a DEXA scan by first appointment and by follow up appointment?

B

How many of that number have been referred by a GP or by a hospital consultant?

​C

Please confirm the number of radiologist hours per week dedicated to DEXA scan procedures.

D

Is the Health and Commmunity Services  DEXA scanner used for private patient appointments?

Response

A

There are circa 400 patients on the waiting list for a DEXA bone density scan.  All appointments are considered to be first / new appointments, as follow-up scans are not scheduled through the department. 

B

Approximately half of all referrals are from GPs, and half made by hospital clinicians.

C

The service is delivered by a Radiographer, with 8 hours dedicated to scan appointment slots per week. A further 4 hours of Radiographer work time are split between completing scanner management (performing Quality Control scans, archiving scans and completing system back-up), and administration duties (managing / triaging referrals, answering patient queries, and liaising with specialist nurses and Rheumatologists). 

D

There are no private patient scan appointments. ​