§ Dr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to set national standards for waiting times in audiology services from time of referral to fitting. [77108]
§ Jacqui SmithThere are no plans, at this time, to set national standards for waiting times for audiology services. The modernising hearing aid services project is being extended so that by the end of this financial year there will be 50 sites involved, with at least a further 15 equipped to supply digital hearing aids from next April. A new, more streamlined patient process will be introduced at these second wave sites from the outset 941W and at first wave sites over the next few months. In addition we are in the middle of a pilot which is looking at the role the private sector can play in reducing waiting times for supply of digital hearing aids. We will continue to look at ways of reducing the waiting times for hearing aid services as the project moves on.