§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make electronic magnifiers available on the NHS. [R] [112851]
§ Mr. LammyElectronic magnifiers are considered to be aids to daily living and as such, their provision is the responsibility of social services departments. They can provide these if they are felt to be warranted. However hand-held, stand and spectacle-mounted magnifiers are considered to be more widely available, more accessible, easier to use and more cost effective.
The hospital eye service is responsible for providing optical devices and loans, low vision aids, such as high powered reading lenses, hand-held and stand magnifiers and telescopes to visually impaired people.
In some parts of the country low vision aids are provided by community based opticians, the service being funded by primary care trusts.