§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following the announcement by the Department of Health on 24 December 2001 on digital hearing aids, when they expect to announce the starting dates for the next 30 National Health Service trusts providing digital hearing aids; and what process will be followed by the Department of Health in negotiating a new bulk purchasing contract for digital hearing aids. [HL2306]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathHealth communities interested in joining the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project are about to be invited to declare their interest. Decisions on the sites which best fulfil the selection criteria will be made quickly thereafter and a list of those sites will be announced at that time.
211WAA competitive procurement exercise to secure the delivery of digital hearing aids for the National Health Service will be undertaken in line with relevant European legislation.