§ Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining hearing aid batteries in the National Heath Service; and if he will take steps to remedy the situation.
§ Mr. AlisonThere is no known shortage of any type of battery used in National Health Service hearing aids. Supplies are available at all hospital hearing aid centres and the large number of battery issuing hospitals.
Patients are normally expected to collect their own batteries, and arrangements exist to help pay travelling costs if a need is established. When personal collection is not possible, some centres operate a postal exchange service, or another person may collect batteries on a patient's behalf.
If my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind perhaps he will let me know.