HL Deb 09 December 1993 vol 550 cc1015-6

3.8 p.m.

Lord Ashley of Stoke asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they propose to take to ensure that cochlear implants, which restore some hearing, are available to all profoundly deaf people who require them.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

My Lords, health authorities are required to meet the cost of cochlear implants in all cases where that is the appropriate treatment.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

My Lords, is the Minister aware that profound deafness devastates human lives and happiness, but that not many people are capable of understanding or imagining that? Certainly many district health authorities are not. Some of them refuse implants in spite of what the noble Baroness just said and despite the fact that the Government pay half the cost. Does the Minister agree that that situation will get even worse after next April when district health authorities pay the full cost themselves, and that as a result, without prompting, prodding and pressure from the Government, many deaf people will be deprived of the wonderful gift of hearing?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, with regard to the noble Lord's first comment, I am very aware that living with deafness requires enormous courage on the part of those people who are deaf—a courage that I think has been exemplified in this House.

With regard to refusing treatment, there have been problems in the past. I understand that particularly in Portsmouth, Macclesfield and Manchester those problems have been addressed and I would be very surprised if there are people being denied this treatment. If there are, I would be grateful if the noble Lord would let me know.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, may I ask the Minister to look at this matter very carefully? Obviously my noble friend is living proof of the effectiveness of the cochlear implant and we all respect him for his courage in adopting it. But is she aware that the problem is mainly one that affects children? I understand that children especially are being kept waiting for the operation, though there may be some dispute or difference of interpretation of the facts across the House. Will the Minister look at this matter very carefully indeed? It may be that some people are suffering unnecessarily.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, we do not have any evidence of that. Clearly, if the noble Lord requires me to look at the matter again, I shall willingly do so.

Lord Swinfen

My Lords, does my noble friend appreciate that when profoundly deaf people are able to have the implant they will be able to get jobs and contribute to the wealth of the nation rather than having to rely on state benefit?

Baroness Cumberlege

Yes, my Lords. That is why we put such an investment into this particular operation.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the point raised by my noble friend Lord Ashley is of vital interest to the Royal British Legion, which has been investigating this matter? It represents British ex-servicemen and servicewomen from the last world wars. There may be some development of deafness suffered by people who are not in the same circumstances as some of those ex-servicemen and servicewomen. Will the Minister be prepared to contact the RBL and ask it to give her some of its evidence with regard to the development of deafness in later years by ex-servicemen and servicewomen?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I give an assurance to your Lordships that if there are problems I shall willingly look into them. With regard to the implants, year on year we put a greater investment into that particular operation.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the first time that I had any detailed information about the extent of the success of this operation was when my noble friend Lord Ashley gave such courageous personal publicity to his own experience? Would it be possible for the Department of Health to give much wider information about the possibilities of this implant to general practitioners and others dealing with profoundly deaf people? Could she perhaps give a slightly more encouraging indication about the extension of the bridging funding beyond next April?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, with regard to the second point, I do not think that I can. The National Health Service is entering a system whereby contracts will govern what treatments are given in the future. It is up to health authorities to assess the need in their areas. That is taking place. But we have written to all the regions and all the health authorities to tell them about this particular operation, which is very sophisticated and affects very few people within their populations. But we want to have an absolute assurance from them that those people who need it will get it.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

My Lords, is the Minister aware that she is always helpful when she can be and I appreciate it? But I would not have raised this issue if I had not had very good reason to do so. I have the evidence that district health authorities are refusing implants. I shall forward it to her. Will she look into it?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I shall certainly do that.