§ 33. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Health what arrangements are made for people living in rural areas and who use hearing aids to change worn-out batteries.
§ Miss PittBatteries for valve aids may be exchanged by or on behalf of patients at selected hospitals and other centres of which there are over 650 in England and Wales.
§ Mr. HiltonDoes the hon. Lady not agree that people living in rural areas—I have in mind, in particular, old-age pensioners who live sometimes as far as twenty miles from hospitals or centres where these batteries can be exchanged—are at a disadvantage, since they are expected to pay the postage when sending in their batteries for exchange? It is a hardship. Would the hon. Lady look into the possibility of refunding at least the postage involved when sending these batteries for exchange? It would not cost the country a lot of money.
§ Miss PittThere are seven centres available in the hon. Member's constituency. I will not take the time of the House by reading the list, but I will send it to him. Other means are available; for instance, patients themselves do not necessarily have to collect their batteries, for this can be done on their behalf by an individual, providing they take in the old battery. I am advised that this is also done by voluntary societies, who collect a number of batteries. There is, in fact, help for a number of people who live at a distance.