§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of waiting time for patients requiring ear level hearing aids; what plans he has to reduce this delay; and whether he will consider coordinating with efforts being made by organisations working for the Year of the Disabled in an effort to reduce the overall delay.
§ Mr. RossiI am aware of wide variations in waiting times at hearing aid centres but comprehensive information is not available centrally. The responsibility for audiology and hearing aid services rests with individual health authorities. It is for these authorities to monitor local services and to take all practicable steps to improve services for hearing impaired people.