§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of hearing aid centres, and their location, by district health authority.
642W
§ Mr. MellorSince the procurement and distribution of hearing aids has been administered by Mersey regional health authority on behalf of the National Health Service, a list of hearing aid centres has not been maintained centrally.
643W
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the usage of National Health Service hearing aids, once dispensed.
§ Mr. MellorThe Institute of Hearing Research estimated in a survey conducted between 1980 and 1986 that 76 per cent. of National Health Institute hearing aids dispensed to adults were in regular use.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will take steps to ensure that better information is available to people with a hearing loss as to the help available;
(2) what is done to ensure that those issued with National Health Service hearing aids are given adequate advice and instruction on how to derive benefit.
§ Mr. MellorAnyone worried about his hearing should first consult his general practitioner. Where necessary, the patient will be referred to a hospital for examination by a consultant who, if appropriate, will refer the patient to a hearing aid centre for the correct hearing aid to be fitted. Audiological technicians will provide advice and information on how to use and maintain hearing aids and all new users are given a copy of the Department's booklet which explains how to use a hearing aid. Some health authorities also employ hearing therapists to assist people requiring particular rehabilitative help.
We are at present giving careful consideration to suggestions for changes in the current arrangements for the provision of hearing aid services in response to the "Fair Hearing" campaign launched by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.
National Health Service hospitals activity, 1959 to 1987–88 Thousands Out-patients Year In-patient cases treated 4Day cases New Total attendances 1Ward attenders Average daily available beds 2 3In-patient waiting list 1959 3,782.7 — 6,872.3 27,768.4 — 448.8 447.5 1960 3,911.1 — 6,913.0 28,281.7 — 447.5 443.0 1961 4,035.4 — 6,975.2 28,391.8 — 442.3 450.7 1962 4,149.6 — 6,978.0 28,590.0 — 440.3 446.8 1963 4,318.0 — 7,026.5 28,707.0 — 439.2 454.2 1964 4,455.1 — 7,265.4 29,887.4 — 438.4 476.4 1965 4,540.2 — 7,240.2 30,024.2 — 437.4 492.1 1966 4,616.7 — 7,356.1 30,372.4 — 434.8 510.4 1967 4,722.4 — 7,482.3 30,974.9 — 434.4 509.5 1968 4,848.2 — 7,505.2 31,382.7 — 432.1 505.1 1969 4,968.4 — 7,629.7 31,801.4 — 428.7 532.4 1970 5,011.7 — 7,744.6 32,354.8 — 423.6 525.9 1971 5,170.8 — 7,918.6 33,129.2 — 419.6 493.7 1972 5,223.0 376.5 7,926.6 33,243.5 — 412.7 479.2 1973 5,132.3 408.5 7,916.1 33,317.9 — 403.5 508.6 1974 5,171.7 449.6 7,824.8 33,352.1 — 396.2 517.4 1975 4,975.8 421.7 6,925.9 30,947.5 — 387.6 588.5 1976 5,254.6 480.5 7,498.5 32,396.4 — 383.1 583.9 1977 5,345.0 536.2 7,612.1 33,282.2 — 375.9 595.5 1978 5,370.3 562.2 7,711.9 33,950.3 — 369.2 603.2 1979 5,400.1 592.1 7,713.5 34,099.7 — 361.7 752.4 1980 5,670.0 670.8 7,942.2 35,2430 — 356.0 664.9 1981 5,759.9 713.9 8,024.7 35,571.4 — 351.7 628.3 1982 5,719.6 706.5 8,097.0 35,651.2 — 348.1 622.5 1983 6,018.6 813.2 8,310.9 36,519.6 — 343.1 726.2 1984 6,177.5 902.9 8,508.1 37,042.7 — 334.5 692.9 1985 6,353.8 962.8 8,682.1 37,440.3 — 325.5 674.5 1986 6,413.8 1,050.2 8,767.8 37,727.6 — 315.7 673.1 1987 — 687.9 1987–88 6,619.4 1,005.0 8,529.8 36,874.3 774.3 297.3 678.8