§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals whose audiology department is equipped to use digital technology for patients with hearing loss; what plans he has to expand the use of this technology; and if he will make a statement. [159284]
§ Mr. HuttonTwenty National Health Service trusts are participating in the Department's "modernising NHS hearing aid services" projects over the two years 2000–01 and 2001–02, which is evaluating digital hearing aid provision for NHS patients. The NHS trusts are listed as follows.
- Addenbrookes NHS Trust
- James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust
- Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust (Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital)
- Forest Healthcare NHS Trust
- Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust
- Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
- East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust
- Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust
- Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
- Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University NHS Trust
- Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Trust
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
- Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
- City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust
- Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust
- United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- The Kings Mill Centre for Healthcare Services NHS Trust.
The Department will study the results of the project to determine how changes to hearing aid services should be rolled out to the NHS.
Pending the outcome of the project, all NHS trusts, with the appropriate staff, training, equipment and experience have been informed through a newsletter that they are eligible to apply for access to the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contract for digital hearing aids.