MINISTER ACCEPTS CHALLENGE FROM LORELY BURT MP AND PLEDGES TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 19th Jul 2006

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt yesterday challenged Health Minster, Ivan Lewis during Health Questions over failure to tackle waiting times of up to two years for the provision of hearing aids. Mrs Burt also questioned the high price of hearing aids in the UK, saying they were supplied cheaper and more quickly in other European countries.

Mrs Burt's challenge followed a complaint from a constituent who had to wait 15months for a hearing aid. Health ministers have recently removed hearing aid services from an 18 week target time set for other treatments.

Mrs Burt said:

"In my constituency, some residents are waiting 15 months or more after their tests before they receive their hearing aids. Given that there is an 18-week target for other services, this is clearly unacceptable. I wonder whether it would be possible to seek a reciprocal agreement with European countries. I am told that in Denmark hearing aids are cheaper and arrive more quickly. Some people are going over there to get their hearing aids, to avoid the waiting lists here."

In reply, the minister acknowledged the problem and pledged to take what steps he could to improve hearing aid services and waiting times in the UK

Ivan Lewis MP said:

"The Honorable Lady raises a serious issue, and if, as we develop the action plan, I can learn from international best practice, particularly where there are successes and achievements of better waiting times, I shall attempt to do so and incorporate it into this country's approach to the problem.

Mrs Burt has welcomed the undertaking given by the minister, but added:

"It is very bad news for deaf and hard of hearing people that hearing aid services have been left out of the 18-week waiting time targets announced recently. The Government has said that it is determined to increase health, well-being and independence for all, but this seems to be contradicted by recent announcements about reducing NHS waiting times, which excludes hearing aid services. People are being told that they will have to wait two years to get a hearing aid. The Government must not allow this to continue. Older people in particular who have to wait such a long time for a hearing aid are extremely vulnerable to isolation as a result of their deafness."

Commenting on waiting times, RNID Chief Executive Dr John Low said:

"The confirmation that over 30,000 people are waiting over a year, merely to get a hearing test is just a snap shot of the huge waiting times people face to receive a digital hearing aid from the NHS. In total the Department of Health estimates that 250,000 people are waiting for either a first assessment or a reassessment of hearing loss. Everyday, RNID hears that many more people are waiting over two years to get a digital hearing aid following their initial visit to their GP. Today's statistics show the error of excluding audiology from the 18-week waiting time targets. However, having made this decision it is now absolutely vital that the Government publishes its promised separate action plan in order to cut these intolerably long waiting times which are widespread across the country.