§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take to cut the delays in providing NHS hearing tests to the over-85s in Worthing; and what the average delay is in non-emergency cases. [97222]
§ Mr. HuttonWorthing and Southlands Hospitals National Health Service Trust has recently reviewed the skill mix within the Audiology Department to enable increased clinic availability and have recruited two additional qualified audiologists.
These measures, plus £6,000 of additional funding, will enable the Trust to operate weekend clinics and bring down waiting times for all patients.