Written question asked by Baroness Wilkins (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2006.

Health: Audiology

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the statement by Lord Warner on25 July (HL Deb, col 1642) regarding procurement of an additional 300,000 audiology service pathways from the independent sector, whether this initiative will result in additional capacity; and whether service commissioners could opt to use this scheme to transfer existing resources from the National Health Service to the independent sector.

Answer: The audiology procurement is designed to complement National Health Service capacity to tackle long waits for audiology services. It represents additional capacity as part of the Government’s commitment to tackle audiology waits. We expect to publish an action plan, of which this procurement will be a key part, early next year. Locally, it is for PCTs to decide how much audiology capacity to commission from providers of NHS services, consistent with overall local development plans.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 123; 687 c244WA
Session: 2006-07
Related items: NHS: Audiology
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords; NHS: Audiology
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Oral questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Hearing impairment Health services Private sector NHS Procurement
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk