§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate she has made of the number of people with tinnitus in England and Wales; and how many tinnitus-only clinics there are;
(2) what guidance she has issued to health authorities regarding special provision for the relief of tinnitus; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available for it; and if she will make a statement;
(3) what plans she has to review the provision of NHS services for people with tinnitus; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is not known how many people suffer from tinnitus. The numbers of tinnitus-only clinics are not available centrally. However, there are facilities for the treatment of tinnitus at all national health service ear, nose and throat departments.
As with all patient groups, responsibility for the provision of services for people with tinnitus rests with health authorities who have to assess needs and priorities against their resources. We have no plans to review these provisions.