CT Scan Crackdown

Health screening is something that is generally considered to be a good thing in medicine. Early detection of problems can mean that serious illness can be avoided or limited. Some private medical insurance companies, for example, PruHealth even encourage their customers to have health screens by giving them decreased premiums if they take part. However recent controversies over private health screening are putting the practise into the spotlight.

Computerised tomography (CT) scans give detailed 3D x-ray type images but the government has announced new regulations that will limit the use of these scans by health screen providers. The new regulations have come about as a result of a desire to protect the public.

CT scans are used as routine MOT tools even though they emit 400 times the amount of radiation than that of a normal x-ray. The Department of Health wants the benefits of using this method of investigation to outweigh the risk of radiation. When going through the NHS the GP has control over whether patients are referred for CT scans but this does not apply in the open market of private health screening.

Currently private health companies have been able to use CT scans as a general screening tool but the new rules will prevent them from being used for spinal conditions, osteoporosis and body fat assessment. The new rules bring the use of CT scans in private health into line with NHS protocols.

Responsible providers are already showing caution. Bupa for example will only take an xray of the lungs if there are symptoms that would warrant it.