PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 9th March 2000

BRINGING NHS HEARING AID SERVICES INTO THE 21ST CENTIRY

Details of a £4 million pilot project that will provide digital hearing aids on the NHS, for the first time, were unveiled today by John Hutton, Health Minister.

There will be 20 first wave schemes to evaluate:

- benefits and costs of digital hearing aids for the NHS;
- efficient and effective ways to supply hearing aids, and
- delivery of a modern hearing aid service for NHS patients;

All NHS Trusts are being invited to put forward proposals to take part in the scheme. Decisions about the successful sites will be made in May 2000, when there will be further work to develop detailed proposals.

Mr Hutton said:

"Introducing this new digital technology into the NHS is a major
modernisation of audiology services. £4m will be made available from April to support this exciting new development which has the potential to transform the availability of hearing aid technology in the NHS, bringing it into the 21st century"

The NHS Executive will be working in partnership with the RNID, NHS Supplies and the Institute of Hearing Research to deliver the scheme. James Strachan, Chief Executive of the RNID commented:

"This is tremendous news for deaf and hard of hearing people. Literally millions could have their lives transformed by the recent advances in hearing aid technology. We are delighted to be working with the Department of Health to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible."

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Media enquries should be made to either Alison Langley or Emily Leonard on 0171 210 5231 or 5375 in the Department of Health Media Centre.