HC Deb 10 May 2004 vol 421 cc163-4W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the implementation of the modernising hearing aid services programme; [171091]

(2) what continuation funding will be available for the modernising hearing aid services programme after central funding ends in 2005; and if he will make a statement. [171092]

Dr. Ladyman

The modernising hearing aid services (MHAS) programme has resulted in the provision of digital hearing aids and the modernisation of services in two thirds of the audiology departments in England. By the end of March 2005, all audiology departments will have been through the programme. An extra £26.4 million capital and £12 million revenue is scheduled to be distributed to lead primary care trusts for the financial year beginning April 2005 as part of the general allocations.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS hearing aids are digital in(a) Essex and (b) England; and if he will make a statement. [171093]

Dr. Ladyman

This information is not collected centrally.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in Essex on the modernising hearing aid services programme. [171094]

Dr. Ladyman

Four of the five acute trusts in Essex have modernised audiology departments and are fitting digital hearing aids. Epping Forest Primary Care Trust (St. Margaret's Hospital) will commence fitting digital hearing aids in 2005.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects full take-up of NHS digital hearing aids to be achieved in(a) Essex and (b) England. [171095]

Dr. Ladyman

All audiology departments in England will routinely be fitting digital hearing aids by March 2005, two thirds are already doing so.

The Department is investing a further £94 million in the financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05. This is additional to a total of £30.75 million invested since the Modernising Hearing Aid Services (MHAS) project began in September 2000.

Essex Strategic Health Authority, and primary care and other trusts within Essex continue to work towards meeting the March 2005 target.