§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NHS trusts in Gloucestershire to provide digital hearing aids; and if he will make a statement. [40439]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 5 March 2002]: The "Modernising NHS hearing aid services" project is evaluating leading edge digital hearing aids for NHS patients, coupled with an evaluation of associated service delivery changes. Digital hearing aids require different service delivery models as they incorporate IT based assessment and fitting procedures. £10.75 million has been made available to 20 pilot sites across the country in 2000–01 and 2001–02. On 24 December 2001 we announced funding of £20 million would be available for 2002–03. This will enable the 20 pilot sites to continue to participate in the project and will enable at least a further 30 new sites to join the project and be fitting digital hearing aids by the end of March 2003. The Gloucestershire Health Community has submitted an expression of interest in participating in the project. A decision on 0the bid will be made shortly.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts(a) are and (b) are not providing digital hearing aids; and if he will make a statement. [40438]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 5 March 2002]: At least 48 national health service trusts are providing digital hearing aids under the bulk purchase contract arranged by Purchasing and Supply Agency. This includes the 20 sites in the first wave of the Modernising Hearing Aid Services' pilot project. The number of trusts accessing the bulk contract is increasing as more sites attain the infrastructure needed. Around 100 sites are providing only analogue aids.