HC Deb 06 May 1955 vol 540 cc177-8W
Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by elderly people in some areas remote from hospitals who need battery replacements for their hearing aids; and whether he will make arrangements for local supply.

Mr. Iain Macleod

In order to ensure that patients receive batteries in fresh condition, and to avoid waste, it is desirable to limit the number of distribution points, and for this reason distribution can best be done at the hospitals. But patients needing batteries are not required to call in person, and in cases of exceptional difficulty special arrangements can be made, for example for postal delivery.