§ VISCOUNT LEVERHULMEasked His Majesty's Government whether it may be expected that on July 5, when the National Health Service Act, 1946, comes into force, the Government hearing aid 377WA will be available for public issue, and whether the Government can state how many will be available on that date, and what arrangements have been made for the distribution of the aids throughout the country.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)One thousand four hundred and fifty of the magnetic (external receiver) type of the Medresco hearing aids will be available for issue on July 5 and more will be coming forward as needled. Unexpected production difficulties with the crystal (insert receiver) type have arisen and the issue of this type of receiver will be delayed for some weeks. It should be made clear, however, that distribution of these aids is dependent not only upon their production but upon the facilities for specialist diagnosis, treatment and training in the otological departments of hospitals. Those with knowledge in this field appreciate that it would be, in the long run, hurtful to all concerned if the aids were distributed ahead of facilities for teaching in their use.
The arrangements for distribution are as follows. Any deaf patient who think 378WA he would benefit from an aid should consult his own general practitioner who will refer him to the otological department of a hospital cleaning with this work. If the otologist prescribes a Medresco aid, the patient will be able to obtain one from the selected hospital where distribution centres are being established and staffed for the purpose.
From July 5, diagnosis and distribution will be carried out at six hospitals in Great Britain Within the next few weeks it is expected that there will be enough aids, of either type available to enable the number of distribution centres to be increased to twenty-five. Regional hospital boards will shortly be asked to prepare plans for increasing this number until there are centres readily accessible in all parts of the country.
The number of diagnostic centres will be similarly increased and it is anticipated that all the principal hospitals having otological out-patient departments will be in a position to undertake diagnosis and prescription of hearing aids. The general practitioners in, ach area will be informed of the facilities as they become available.
House adjourned at twenty minutes past seven o'clock.