§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which agency is responsible for monitoring the provision and maintenance of hearing aids for(a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) young people aged 16 years and above who are in full-time education; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement.
§ Mr. AncramHearing aids are available from health and social services boards for anyone who needs one. There are no plans to change the present arrangements.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the conditions under which children and young people are entitled to be provided with the most appropriate heearing aid whether or not this is part of the national health service range of hearing aids.
§ Mr. AncramIt is for the clinician concerned to decide on the basis of assessed need which is the most appropriate hearing aid in each case, whether it is from the standard range or purchased by hearing aid centres from a commercial source.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which agency monitors the provision of insurance on hearing aids for children and young people; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement.
§ Mr. AncramHearing aids are provided on loan. There is, therefore, no requirement for the patient, or in the case of a child under 16, the child's parent to insure the appliance they receive. There are no plans to change the present arrangements.