§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent representations he has received about funding for audiology services; [160071]
(2) what his policy is on funding audiology services. [160070]
§ Mr. HuttonHealth authorities have received an average 6.2 per cent. real-terms increase for 2001–02. Funding for national health service audiology services is200W part of the normal responsibility of health authorities and trusts and audiology services should benefit from this very significant increase.
In addition, substantial extra funds have been provided for the "Modernising NHS hearing aid services" project, which is evaluating leading edge digital hearing aids for NHS patients, together with the evaluation of associated service delivery changes. An extra £10.75 million has been made available for the 20 NHS hearing aid departments involved in the project. If the project is successful, we anticipate by 2003–04 that an extra £25 million will be invested in NHS hearing aid services.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance about the steps audiology departments should be taking to make sure patients get the hearing aid they need was issued in July 2000.
Representations on NHS audiology services have been received from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.