Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging scans are in use in each Cancer Alliance.

The information requested on the number of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) capable scanners and the investment in such scanners in the last three years is not held centrally.

However, NHS England and NHS Improvement’s national magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) specification includes the capability to perform mpMRI for prostate cancer. A total of 97 MRI machines were purchased through the £200 million equipment replacement programme to this specification from October 2019 to March 2021. NHS trusts are encouraged to adopt the national specification as a minimum requirement when purchasing new MRI equipment.