HC Deb 28 June 1984 vol 62 cc525-6W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now provide additional funds to local health authorities for tinnitus maskers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

We must look to health authorities to balance the need for maskers, and other facilities for tinnitus sufferers, against other claims on the resources available locally. The use of maskers has been the subject of a research project commissioned by the Department which was completed in 1983 and we hope that the report, when it is available, will assist authorities in assessing the priority to be given to this service. As an interim measure we are contributing £42,000 from the Department's central funds in 1984–85 for the provision of maskers by the tinnitus clinic at University college hospital.