§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the pilot programmes for the modernisation of the hearing-impaired service utilising digital hearing aids; and what plans he has to(a) continue with the pilots and (b) roll out the programme throughout the NHS. [49726]
§ Jacqui SmithThe pilots are being evaluated by the Institute of Hearing Research, who will complete their evaluation in December 2002. The existing pilot sites are continuing to participate and I announced on 10 April 2002,Official Report, columns 465W-66W, the names of those sites who would be joining the project in the financial year 2002–03.
We are now in the process of identifying further sites to receive training and equipment to enable them to join the project after April 2003. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People will be contacting all those sites not yet involved in the project and encouraging those with an interest to have discussions with their health community and put forward a bid.
§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which health trusts have announced an intention to withdraw from the pilot programme for hearing-impaired patients, citing funding uncertainty; and what his assessment is of the abortive expenditure incurred. [49731]
§ Jacqui SmithNo trusts have announced any intention to withdraw from the modernised hearing aid services project.