AQW 4226/16-21

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 29/09/2016
Answered On Date: 19/10/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether she will ensure that hearing services will be delivered in a community setting.

Answer:

Options for any mixed economy provision of hearing loss services would be considered as part of the Health and Social Care Board’s market sounding process for the hearing loss pilot.

However, the Board has advised it is now using in-year resources earmarked for the hearing loss pilot to fund delivery of the HSC Trusts’ waiting list backlog plans, it has therefore not yet been possible to assess the potential benefits of delivering hearing loss services in a community setting.