DoH: Tests are under consideration

Concerns raised by Sense About Science and doctors' groups about health tests and scans are similar to those highlighted by a report on CT scans, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

The department asked the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (Comare) to assess CT scans and the results were published at the end of last year.

A DoH spokesman said this report "clearly pointed to an issue of significant concern with regards to well people purchasing unnecessary scans".

Such concerns echo those made by the Sense About Science report, which said health tests and scans for the 'worried well' may do more harm than good.

Commenting on the concerns, the DoH spokesman said: "DoH officials have recently brought together the Royal College of Pathologists, other pathology professional bodies, NICE [National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence], HTA [Human Tissue Authority], CEP [the Centre for Evidence Based Purchasing] and MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] to discuss the issue of evaluating new pathology tests.

"The Independent Review of NHS Pathology Services, chaired by Lord Carter of Coles, is close to finalising its work and we expect to receive Lord Carter's report shortly. We will then need to consider the issue of evaluating new tests in the context of the review's recommendations."