Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to introduce a screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms in older men.

Ann Keen: The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC) has advised that screening men aged 65 for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can be recommended in principle. Before making its recommendation, the NSC considered the evidence, merits and costs of introducing the screening programme against its internationally recognised criteria.

Detailed work is being undertaken in developing proposals for AAA screening in England, to assess the practical implications. This assessment is taking into account the likely impact of a screening programme on existing healthcare services and the infrastructure and staffing requirements in order for a programme to be safely introduced. Such assessments are undertaken before major screening policy decisions are made.

Initial finding have suggested that around 700 deaths could be prevented 10 years after screening is introduced, rising eventually to around 1,600 per year.