Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 June 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 12 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the waiting time is for a hearing aid appointment at (a) the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and (b) the Princess Royal Hospital. - (Holding answer 10 June 2003).

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for a hearing aid appointment at (a) the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and (b) the Princess Royal Hospital. [117598] Jacqui Smith :[holding answer 10 June 2003]: Although the Department does not collect information on waiting times for hearing aid services centrally, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf's modernising hearing aid services project management team informs us that the out-patient waiting time in Shropshire for new patients, from general practitioner referral to having a hearing aid fitted is between 12 and 15 months. The waiting time is the same for both of the hospitals mentioned. Shropshire is currently negotiating to extend the private sector pilot, making use of high street hearing aid dispensers to increase NHS capacity, and reduce waiting times.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 117598; 406 c1073-4W;406 c1077-8W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Disability aids Hearing impairment Hearing aids Waiting lists Shropshire Princess Royal Hospital Telford Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk