§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps his Department is taking to encourage middle-aged and elderly people to seek early diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment; to what extent his Department has made use of general practitioners, the Health Education Council, local authority social service departments, old people's organisations and old people's clubs for this purpose; and if his Department has produced any related publicity material.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergResponsibility for seeking diagnosis and treatment of any health problem lies in the first place with the individual. The Department attaches great importance to preventive medicine, and general practitioners and health professionals are well aware of their responsibility to encourage patients to seek early advice and, where necessary, treatment. This approach is strongly supported by health and local authorities and by voluntary organisations.
A copy of the report of a recent survey on public attitudes to deafness carried out by the office of Population Censuses and Surveys has been sent to the Health Education Council. It will be taking its findings and recommendations into account in future activities concerned with the problems of hearing impaired people.
Publicity material is not available from the Department, but I understand that some has been produced by voluntary organisations.