§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many cochlear implants were carried out in Scotland in the last year or for the latest period for which figures are available; and how many centres provided by the National Health Service in Scotland are offering cochlear implants for the profoundly deaf apart from the unit at Ayr county hospital;
(2) if he will consult voluntary organisations representing the profoundly deaf about the cochlear implant programme and its availability in Scotland;
(3) what information he has about the number of patients presently on waiting lists for a cochlear implant; and how many people there are in Scotland who might benefit from such treatment;
(4) what representations he has had from the Ayrshire and Arran health board about the funding of a centre for cochlear implants;
(5) what sums he has made available for a cochlear implant programme for 1990–91 and the two succeeding years; whether he has any plans to ask health boards in Scotland to submit bids for funding to develop a cochlear implant programme locally; and if he will make a statement;
(6) whether his Department will be represented at the seminar arranged in March by the Department of Health to discuss the development and provision of cochlear implants.
§ Mr. RifkindMy hon. Friend the Minister for Health in Scotland announced on 11 January that funding would be made available for a cochlear implant programme in Scotland. Decisions as to the level of funding and location of the programme are currently being considered. I would be glad to have the benefit of any views which voluntary organisations representing the profoundly deaf may wish to offer.
To date four cochlear implants have been carried out in Scotland, all at Crosshouse hospital, Kilmarnock, the first one in March 1989. A request for funding of a centre there was received from Ayrshire and Arran health board earlier this week. No other centre in Scotland offers a service, as
Farm Development Scheme Livestock Development Scheme Fish Farming Infrastructure Crofter Housing Total Shetland 189 274 3 6 9 481 Orkney 520 496 5 2 2 1,025 Argyll and Inverness 236 263 3 4 — 506 Skye 170 337 10 2 1 520 Clyde Islands 127 89 2 — — 218 1,242 1,459 23 14 12 2,750 Grant is normally paid on approved cost or actual cost, whichever is the lower, provided that the Department is satisfied after inspection that the cost incurred is not excessive in relation to the works actually undertaken. Details of claims which have had to be restricted are not held centrally.
412Wfar as I am aware. Information is not centrally available on the numbers on the waiting list for an implant. nor on the numbers who might benefit.
My Department will be represented at the seminar being held in March by the Department of Health to discuss cochlear implants.