Richard Ottaway MP: Press releasses

PRESS RELEASE

27 October 2003

21 MONTH WAIT FOR HEARING AIDS UNACCEPTABLE SAYS OTTAWAY

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has today written to the Secretary of State for Health about the lengthy waiting time for hearing aid assessments at Mayday Hospital. (see letter below).

Having raised the issue with Mayday on behalf of a constituent, Richard Ottaway was informed that the current wait for a hearing aid assessment at Mayday Hospital is approximately 21 months.

Richard Ottaway says:-

"I have been told that the reasons for this waiting time are twofold - a national shortage of audiologists and the introduction of digital hearing aid technology. Mayday are doing are all they can in the circumstances to reduce this waiting time."

"However, this issue is still of great concern as it will seriously impact upon the quality of life for those who are hard of hearing. I have written to the Secretary of State for Health asking what steps are being taken to improve this dire state of affairs."

Ends.

For further information, please call 020 7219 6392.

Letter to The Rt Hon Dr John Reid MP
Secretary of State, Department of Health

28 October 2003

Dear John

I write to protest in the strongest possible terms about the situation at Mayday Hospital with regard to Audiology Services. A constituent of mine has written to me about the delay her mother experienced when she was put on Mayday's waiting list for a hearing aid assessment. She was told that the current wait for a hearing aid assessment is 21 months.

According to Mayday the reasons for this delay are twofold: a shortage of audiologists and the introduction of digital hearing aid technology. As these factors have a national impact I imagine that this unacceptable waiting time is not confined to Mayday.

Clearly Mayday is doing its best to reduce this waiting time. I would be most interested to know what steps your department is taking to overcome this problem.

Yours sincerely