§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with suppliers of1144W digital hearing aids to provide a cost effective expansion of the delivery of the technology to the deaf and hard of hearing. [36963]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 25 February 2002]: Officials in the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency have held discussions with a majority of suppliers of digital hearing aids, as part of a supplier evaluation exercise. The discussions centred around supply chain issues, production facilities, quality control, capacity and flexibility. No conclusions have yet been reached.
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf is managing the Modernising Hearing Aid Services project on behalf of the Department. The other bodies involved in this project are the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, and the Medical Research Council/Institute of Hearing Research.