§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what extent the Nottingham hearing aid services are suffering from staff shortages;
(2) what are the waiting periods for new hearing aids at the Nottingham hearing aid services for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and the current year;
(3) what is the length of waiting lists for male and female patients at the Nottingham hearing aid services for the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, and at present.
§ Mr. John PattenThis information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may care to write to the Nottingham health authority.
§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the reason for the shortage of new hearing aids at the Nottingham hearing aid services.
§ Mr. NewtonSome hearing aid centres, including the Nottingham hearing services centre, have experienced shortages of the newer high gain behind-the-ear models because demand has been heavier than had been estimated. Money has been reallocated to increase the supply.