Written question asked by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hearing Impaired: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme is collected by (a) primary care trusts, (b) strategic health authorities and (c) his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) collects data on behalf of the Department through a single national screening information system which has the functionality to provide screening management and performance data at provider, primary care trust, strategic health authorities and national level.The main data collected, which are published quarterly, include coverage and outcomes of screening and diagnostic pathways including the numbers of children identified with permanent hearing impairment.The NHSP Annual Report and Quality Assurance (QA) Peer Review Report are due to be published later this month.

Secondary information