Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for MRI scans for patients with suspected brain tumours.

The Government recognises the impact that waiting for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can have on patients, including for patients with suspected brain tumours.

We are taking a range of steps to improve access to imaging, including expanding capacity through community diagnostic centres, which are providing millions of additional tests, such as MRI scans, in convenient community settings.

We are also supporting the National Health Service to increase workforce capacity, make better use of existing diagnostic equipment, and prioritise patients based on clinical need. These measures are helping to reduce waiting times and ensure patients with the most urgent needs are seen as quickly as possible.

We do not hold information on what the median time is from symptom onset to diagnosis for patients with brain tumours. Brain tumours include both non-cancerous, or benign, and cancerous, or malignant, brain tumours.

Diagnosing cancer faster and earlier remains a key priority for the Government, and we will continue to look for opportunities to optimize pathways, reduce waiting times, and ultimately improve outcomes, including for patients with brain tumours.