HC Deb 31 January 1984 vol 53 cc127-8
7. Mr. Terry Fields

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to improve facilities for the treatment of tinnitus.

The Under-Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. John Patten)

The level of facilities for tinnitus sufferers is for health authorities to decide, taking account of other claims on the resources available. The use of tinnitus maskers has been studied in a recent research project commissioned by the Department. We hope that the results, when they are available, will assist authorities in planning their services.

Mr. Fields

Is the Minister aware of the great depth of feeling among tinnitus sufferers because of the under-provision of resources for the research and treatment of the malady and the derisory sums that are being made available? Does he agree that a cut of almost 83 per cent. between 1980–81 and 1983–84 is a cause for concern and anxiety among tinnitus sufferers? When the results of the research are made known, will he ensure that further finance is made available? Will he explain the results of the recent pollution of north-west water by chlorine and phenol and the consequent effect on tinnitus sufferers and others in the north-west? Will he take steps to ensure that that does not happen again?

Mr. Patten

I need more notice of the last of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary questions if I am to be enabled to answer it. The Medical Research Council has undertaken six separate individual projects in conducting research into tinnitus. My Department has funded three individual projects and the results of that research will be available in the spring. We shall then assess the results of the research, which is of concern to tinnitus sufferers. At that stage we shall reconsider our guidance to district health authorities on the provision of treatment.

Mr. Sims

Is my hon. Friend aware that his dilemma in having to distinguish between an established service and research projects, especially at University College hospital, is well understood, and that the continued funding which he is giving to the project at UCH will be very much appreciated, not least by the 1.2 million sufferers in Britain?

Mr. Patten

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those words of thanks. I am grateful to him and others in the House, including the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley), who is not in his place, for their kind words of help and advice. There is good news for tinnitus sufferers. We continue to get good news from the Health Service. The advances in tinnitus treatment form one of those pieces of good news.

Mr. Pavitt

While I welcome the reprieve of UCH, especially in the case of maskers, will the Department call for a multi-discipline report on all the projects upon which the Medical Research Council has embarked so that not only audiology, otology and psychology, but neurology can be examined? When the Under-Secretary has these reports, will he place a copy in the Library?

Mr. Patten

We shall be reviewing all the research projects—those funded by the MRC and those funded by my Department. Maskers are not the sole treatment for tinnitus. There are also forms of treatment that are related to drug therapy, counselling and psychological advice of various kinds.