A POTENTIALLY life saving cancer scan is set to be rolled out across all of Wales following a debate in the Senedd.

The issue of mpMRI scans being available on some health boards in Wales and unavailable on others was discussed, after a petition was launched by Llangollen man Stuart Davies last year.

The petition has been a massive success, with over 6,000 people signing. As it crossed the 5,000 signature threshold the issue was put to the Senedd.

In the debate on Wednesday the Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething confirmed that NICE would change their recommendations later this year, to make the mpMRI scan the first port of call for prostrate cancer examinations.

Vaughan Gething AM said: "At the outset, I want to acknowledge the impact of prostate cancer, both physically and emotionally, on men and their families.

"I also recognise that some of the diagnostic tests, as we've heard, such as biopsies, can be unpleasant and add to the worry and stress that men are already going through. I have received considerable correspondence from Members, patients, families and clinicians about the availability or otherwise of the test known as pre-biopsy mpMRI.

"Now, given that the prospect of a less invasive and more accurate test is literally on the horizon—days away, and we expect NICE to confirm that—it's completely understandable that people want to see that procedure made available as quickly as possible across Wales.

"I also understand completely why there is a concern about the current availability of the test between different health boards. The initial trials that have taken place, including here in Wales, including some within north and west Wales, have been positive, showing the effectiveness of mpMRI, and the public and clinicians are encouraged, and they want to see it rolled out, too.

"As we've heard, on the basis of the emerging evidence and the draft guidance issued by NICE in December last year, some health boards in Wales are starting to provide the test already. It is of course not unusual to trial new treatments in different parts of the health service, but I do understand why that gives rise to concerns from those parts of Wales where the test is not yet regularly available.

"But there is this point about, when we consider each potential advance in healthcare, what we do as a whole system, and in decision making, to consider the evidence for the best intervention and then to try to take a consistent national approach to delivering it once that evidence base is sound and accepted. So, NICE are committed to publishing their revised guidelines in April.

"We're not waiting; we're not doing nothing and waiting until some point in April when we expect finalised guidelines to be made available.

"There will always be a number of areas to be addressed. Factors like the imaging capacity, like the workforce and training all need to be looked at, addressed and delivered. I have always been clear and stated on the record a number of times that if, as we all expect, NICE recommends pre-biopsy mpMRI, then I expect all health boards to amend their pathways accordingly.

"The work being done by the Wales urology board is supporting our health service to be in a position to provide these tests consistently and equitably in line with the evidence. That will help us to deliver the improved experience and outcomes in care that we all want to see in every part of Wales.

"I am happy to underline the commitments I have already given to update Members in due course on progress and on the targets we have and timescales to make sure that service and that test that we expect to be recommended is available across the country."