§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the waiting times for initial hearing tests for(a) adults and (b) children. [160068]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on waiting times for initial hearing tests is not collected centrally.
The "Action on Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)" initiative, which has been established as part of our modernisation strategy for the national health service, is looking at improving access to ENT and audiology services. Departments are being supported to re-design the way services are provided, in order to improve access and reduce waiting times. One element of the initiative focuses specifically on audiology, with the aim of spreading best practice to all audiology departments.