Written question asked by Jon Trickett (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 April 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 April 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evaluation he has made of the pilot programmes for the modernisation of the hearing-inpaired service utilising digital hearing aids; and what plans he has to (a) continue with the pilots and (b) roll out the programme throughout the NHS. - Inc ref to 10 April 2002, 383 c465-6W.

Answer: Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the pilot programmes for the modernisation of the hearing-impaired service utilising digital hearing aids; and what plans he has to (a) continue with the pilots and (b) roll out the programme throughout the NHS. [49726] Jacqui Smith: The pilots are being evaluated by the Institute of Hearing Research, who will complete their evaluation in December 2002. The existing pilot sites are continuing to participate and I announced on 10 April 2002, Official Report, columns 465W-66W, the names of those sites who would be joining the project in the financial year 2002-03. We are now in the process of identifying further sites to receive training and equipment to enable them to join the project after April 2003. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People will be contacting all those sites not yet involved in the project and encouraging those with an interest to have discussions with their health community and put forward a bid.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 384 c357W; 49726
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Disability aids Digital technology Hearing impairment Health services Hearing aids NHS Pilot schemes Modernisation
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk