§ Mr. Grieveasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time taken to provide hearing aids through the National Health Service; and what proposals he has for reducing such time.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisInformation about average waiting times is not collected. I am advised, however, that approximately 12,500 people, including those who exchanged a body-worn aid for a behind-the-ear model, were seen in December 1976, the latest month for which figures are available, and about 47,000 were on the waiting list. Health authorities are very conscious of the need to ensure that waiting times are kept as short as possible, and we have made available special funds to assist them in implementing the current hearing aid programme.
Children in care Boarded Out 1975 1976 (provisional) 1975 1976 (provisional) Cheshire … … … … … 1,471 1,492 547 556 Lancashire … … … … … 2,703 2,877 818 935 Bolton … … … … … 631 651 201 211 Bury … … … … … 299 331 109 107 Manchester … … … … 2,408 2,370 706 680 Oldham … … … … … 529 567 151 175 Rochadale … … … … … 609 591 196 204 Salford … … … … … 799 784 214 221 Stockport … … … … … 579 581 172 188 Tameside … … … … … 305 368 114 118 Trafford … … … … … 326 351 118 129 Wigan … … … … … 478 522 208 221 Knowsely … … … … … 658 671 202 205 Liverpool … … … … … 1,785 1,852 684 705 Sefton … … … … … 497 517 195 190 St Heelens … … … … … 302 299 129 126 Wirral … … … … … 746 719 236 240