HC Deb 07 April 1981 vol 2 c234W
Mr. Raymond Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to make available on the National Health Service as of right to patients who require it the fingertip electronic machine known as the Canon Communicator.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to provide the Canon Communicator for patients who are unable to speak or write due to physical disability and include it in he appropriate National Health Service tariff.

Mr. Rossi

Health authorities have the power to provide aids such as the Canon Communicator but provision in individual cases is dependent upon the recommendation of a hospital consultant and upon local decisions regarding the use of financial resources.