RNID Digital Hearing aid
Letter and Press Release

Dear Colleague

I am aware that there has been a lot of interest from many members of the public over the last few weeks about the availability of NHS digital hearing aids.

Given this high level of interest, I knew you would want to know about today's announcement of a £20m investment to modernise hearing aid services next year, bringing the benefits of digital hearing aids to thousands more people.

The investment will mean that in addition to the 20 sites already involved in the project, at least a further 30 sites will be fitting digital hearing aids by the end of next year. On top of this a further 15 sites at least will have the necessary training and equipment in place to fit digital hearing aids provided through the NHS contract from 2003/04.

We will now continue working with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) to identify exactly how provision will be expanded. Decisions on which sites should join the project next year will be announced in due course.

I am delighted that we have been able to take this step to deliver real improvements in services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

I enclose a copy of a Press Release on this announcement which gives further details.

JACQUI SMITH MP

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£20M TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO DIGITAL HEARING AIDS.

Health Minister Jacqui Smith today announced further details of a £20m investment to modernise hearing aid services next year, bringing the benefits of digital hearing aids to thousands more people.

The investment will mean that in addition to the 20 sites already involved in the project, at least a further 30 sites will be fitting digital hearing aids by the end of next year. On top of this at least a further 15 sites will have the necessary training and equipment in place to fit digital hearing aids provided through the NHS contract from 2003/04.

Jacqui Smith said:

"It is vital that we provide modern, good quality services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

"The modernisation of hearing aids project is a key part of our determination to bring hearing aid services into the 21 st century, For the first time, leading edge digital hearing aids are available on the NHS and they are being provided as part of a modernised service designed around the needs of people with hearing impairment.

"Our new investment of £20 million for next year is more than three times the funding currently available to modernise services this year. It confirms our commitment to provide leading edge digital technology to hearing impaired people.

"The Institute of Hearing Research is continuing to evaluate the project, and we will be applying the lessons learned to help ensure people get the aids which are best for them, in an up to date service."

James Strachan, RNID Chief Executive, welcomed the announcement:

"It is a great Christmas present for deaf and hard of hearing people that the Government is committed to digital hearing aids and to furthering the modernisation of audiology across England. Now almost a third of patients will be able to benefit from cutting edge technology.

"RNID looks forward to digital hearing aids being available to deaf and hard of hearing people everywhere in the future."

Decisions on which sites should join the project next year will be announced in due course. The aim of the modernisation project, which is being taken forward in partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), is to find out the benefits and best ways of providing digital hearing
aids on the NHS as part of a modernised service. The Department of Health will be working closely with the RNID to plan and manage the extended
project.

Notes to Editors

1. This announcement sets out specific investment in digital hearing aid
services, following Alan Milburn's announcement on health authority revenue allocations for 2002/03 of 6 December, and capital allocations on 18 December,

The £20 million allocation for 2002/03 comprises £12 million revenue and £8
million capital funding. £10.75 million has been invested in the project over the two years 2000/01 and 2001/02 (£4.75 million (2000/01), and £6 million (2001/02)).

2. The Department of Health is working in partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA), Institute of Hearing Research and the National Deaf Children's Society.

3. Details of the first 20 NHS Trusts were announced on 25 May 2000. The following NHS Trusts were involved in 2000/2001 :

Addenbrookes NHS Trust *
James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust
Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust (Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital)
Forest Healthcare NHS Trust *
Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust *
Leeds Teaching NHS Trust *
Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust
Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
East.Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust*
Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust* Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
Queens Medical Centre University NHS Trust Nottingham.*
Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Trust .
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust Royal*
Shrewsbury NHS Trust *

The additional NHS Trusts involved from 2001/2002:

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust
Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust
United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust *
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
The Kings Mill Centre for Healthcare Services NHS Trust

* providing services for children and adults as part of the project

4. Project activity until the end of November 2001 shows that:

16,628 adult digital aids were fitted from the start of the project to the end of November, 18,227 adult patients assessed and 12,929 adult patients fitted.

605 Paediatric digital aids were fitted.

5. Interim evaluation reports from the Institute of Hearing Research show that, based on small samples, people with digital hearing aids are reporting improvements in hearing, and that people with digital aids are wearing them more. The Institute for Hearing Research will make a final report in December 2002.

6. Four suppliers were awarded the contract for digital hearing aids (see table below). Prices for these products range from £140 to just over £200 plus VAT.

7. Separate contracts were awarded for a high-powered digital aid to Lavis(Philips) and PC Werth(Wydex) and for a baby aid to Starkey.

8. The Department of Health has set up a website with further information on the project at http://www.doh.aov.uk/hearingaidproiect

9. Further media enquiries to the Department of Health Media Centre on 0207 210 5231/5315.