§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost benefit analysis his Department has carried out or draws upon to inform its current policy towards the supply of digital hearing aids through the NHS. [84304]
§ Mr. HuttonDigital technology in hearing aids is very new so at this stage only manufacturers' evaluations are available and there is no independent cost benefit analysis. National Heath Service trusts purchase hearing aids from a range that is supplied by the NHS Supplies Authority and they may also purchase hearing aids from commercial suppliers to meet individual clinical need.
21W