Siobhain McDonagh MP

Parliamentary questions

Campaigns

Siobhain's Campaigns

30/01/2002

Breakthrough in Siobhain's Campaign for Universal Digital Hearing Aids on the NHS

Siobhain takes time outside the House of Commons to meet young deaf campaigners Philip Hayler and Marije Davidson

Siobhain has led a vigorous campaign in Parliament to provide digital hearing aids on the NHS for everyone who needs them, and has welcomed the Government's recent announcement of ?20 million investment to modernise hearing aid services in 2002.

In December 2001 Siobhain started her campaign for national provision of digital hearing aids by tabling a House of Commons Motion on the issue. Her motion quickly gained the support of hundreds of MPs of all parties. MPs have now received over 50,000 letters on the issue.

Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People James Strachan was moved to write to Siobhain saying: "With your help the issue of digital hearing aids is now high on the political agenda. We hope that very soon the benefits of digital hearing aids will be available to all of your constituents."

Siobhain has also led a House of Commons debate on digital hearing aids where she quizzed ministers and urged them to give a commitment to deaf and hard of hearing people that they would get digital hearing aids on the NHS. She has lobbied Health ministers at every opportunity, in official meetings and at social occasions.

Siobhain says: "A third of the nation's deaf people, more people than ever before, will now have access to cutting-edge digital hearing aids on the NHS. Before the announcement by the Department of Health, less than 5 per cent of the 2 million people who need hearing aids nationwide had access to the digital technology. Of course, this is just a start, but it's a very good start. I'm proud to have played a small part."

The massive new funding will give a boost to the modernisation of audiology departments in at least 30 extra NHS Trusts. The Government first made digital hearing aids available to patients at 20 NHS Trusts in England in October 2000. Prior to the new announcement, less than 5 per cent of the 2 million people, following the success of a pilot scheme in 20 NHS Trusts, and will mean digital hearing aids for thousands more people in 2002.

Siobhain adds: "The immediate task for me now is to make sure health ministers are aware of the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people in Mitcham and Morden, and to urge ministers to make provision in this £20 million so that our local audiology services can benefit."

"A third of the nation's deaf people, more people than ever before, will now have access to cutting-edge digital hearing aids on the NHS."

Siobhain McDonagh MP,
Digital Hearing campaign
January 2002