§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the use to which the funding announced on 27 March 2001 to provide communications aids to children with hearing difficulties has been put; [42657]
(2) what guidance has been given to (a) health authorities, (b) primary care groups and (c) social services departments about the provision of communication aids for those who are hard of hearing; and if he will make a statement; [42684]
(3) if he will publish the guidelines given on 27 March 2001 about the provision of communication aids to those with hearing difficulties. [42683]
§ Jacqui SmithThe "Guide to Integrating Community Equipment Service", published on 27 March 2001, set out the vision for the scope of services that users should expect to receive, and indicated the steps that organisations will need to take to achieve the vision.
Our intention, as stated in a circular to local authorities and health authorities in March 2001, is that the services should look to use some of the additional funding for community equipment services on communication aids for people with impaired speech. No specific guidance on communication aids for children or adults with hearing difficulties has been issued. It is for local services to determine the equipment they will provide.