§ Mrs. Monksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the way spectacles are supplied through opticians, based in their own premises, if he will consider supplying hearing aids in a similar way, considering the under-staffing in hospital hearing aid departments.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. I am sending my hon. Friend a detailed statement of the position.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hearing aid mould making firms are being used by hospitals in the Metropolitan and South Eastern regions ; what is the average time taken between taking an impression and fitting the patient ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonTwo firms are used by the hospitals. The average time varies between hospitals and ranges from 3–4 weeks to 7–8 weeks. With the advent of the new hearing aid programme we are taking the opportunity of examining the present methods of making moulds with a view to their improvement.