§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the pilot schemes for the availability of digital hearing aids on the NHS; and if he will extend access to digital hearing aids on the NHS. [2541]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department has asked the Institute of Hearing Research (IHR) to conduct a research evaluation of the Modernising National Health Service Hearing Aid Services project. The IHR is expected to present its report in February 2002. The evaluation will help determine how changes in hearing aid services might be extended to all NHS audiology departments.
509WIf the project is successful we anticipate that by 2003–04 we will be investing an extra £25 million in NHS hearing aid services.
Pending the outcome of the project, all NHS audiology departments, with the appropriate staff, training, equipment and experience, are able to apply for access to the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contract for digital hearing aids.