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Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 March 2005. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Thursday, 24 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS trusts have the necessary (a) facilities and (b) staff to fit digital hearing aids; if he will make a statement on the process for assessing the quality of audiology services in hospitals; what measures were taken to prepare primary care trusts for the modernising hearing aid services programme; and if he will make a statement; what plans he has to collate centrally statistics on waiting times relating to the modernising hearing aid service project; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS trusts have the necessary (a) facilities and (b) staff to fit digital hearing aids; [222190] (2) if he will make a statement on the process for assessing the quality of audiology services in hospitals; [222191] (3) what measures were taken to prepare primary care trusts for the modernising hearing aid services programme; and if he will make a statement; [222192] (4) what plans he has to collate centrally statistics on waiting times relating to the modernising hearing aid service project; and if he will make a statement. [222193] Dr. Ladyman: The Department has invested £125 million into the modernising hearing aid services (MHAS) project since it started in September 2000. This project is being managed on behalf of the Department by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID). All national health service audiology departments, which are part of the MHAS project, within England have a named lead primary care trust (PCT) which acts on behalf of all those PCTs which commission audiology services from each NHS trust. In spring 2004, the RNID undertook a comprehensive series of 26 seminars across England to promote the benefits of the MHAS project. All PCTs and strategic health authorities were invited to attend these events. 95 per cent. of all NHS audiology departments in England are fitting digital hearing aids routinely to those people they have diagnosed as suitable and the few remaining departments will be offering the service by the end of March 2005. The Healthcare Commission is responsible for regulating and inspecting NHS services, including audiology services. There are no plans to centrally collate statistics on waiting times.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
432 c1051W; 222190;222191;222192;222193
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Digital technology Hearing impairment Hospitals Health services Hearing aids Facilities Primary care trusts NHS trusts Staff Waiting lists Standards
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk