§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they know when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will complete and report on its review of the Institute of Hearing Research project to modernise hearing aid services; and what form this review will take. [HL143]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Institute of Hearing Research is undertaking a research project on behalf of the Department of Health which we expect to report in early 2003. Once this report has been made available we will consider whether it is appropriate for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to undertake any further work on this topic.
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of the existing sites chosen for the second phase of the Modernising Hearing Aid Services project are currently fitting digital hearing aids. [HL144]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe process of modernisation has begun in all sites chosen for the second phase of the project. Site visits have been completed, equipment needs and additional funding determined and agreed. In addition, the vast majority have now received their equipment. Four of the second wave sites are now regularly prescribing digital hearing aids, and that number will be inceasing on a monthly basis. The Royal National Institute of Deaf People is co-ordinating the project on our behalf and expects the majority of the sites to be prescribing digital aids by the end of January 2003.
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the demands of leading edge technology, what plans are in place to improve the skills of existing technicians in the National Health 81WA Service's hearing aid service who will be needed to fit digital hearing aids now that there are plans to make these available to National Health Service patients. [HL145]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathTraining has been incorporated as an integral part of the process of modernising hearing aid services. Staff at each site will be trained to use the information technology and audiological equipment when they join the project. In addition, some National Health Service trusts have already provided training for their own staff and are already able to access the digital hearing aids contract without being part of the project.
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimates have been made of the need for additional highly skilled technical staff to be recruited and trained to fit new digital hearing aids successfully; and what plans have been made to close the skills gap that is likely during the years before new graduates start working in this area. [HL146]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe staffing and training requirements of a modernised hearing aid service providing digital hearing aids is being analysed as part of the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project. The analysis of the project will be completed early in the new year. Provision for additional staff and training has been made in the funding allocations to each of the sites participating in the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project. In addition, the Department of Health is carrying forward work on skill mix, recruitment and retention of staff in audiology departments.
§ Baroness Howe of Idlicoteasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their assessment of the pilot private finance initiative schemes with private hearing aid consultants currently in operation; and whether they intend to develop these further. [HL147]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe small pilot project involving high street retailers in the supply of National Health Service digital hearing aids in Shrewsbury and Leeds is not yet completed. However, preliminary results suggest that it can be worth while involving the private sector in the provision of NHS hearing aids.