7th
June 2006
McNeil
to Quiz Minister on Audiology Waits
MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan
McNeil, is set to quiz Ministers on the progress which is being made in reducing
waiting times for digital hearing aids and other audiology services during
Health Questions at Holyrood tomorrow.
Mr McNeil said that, despite
a 260% increase in funding for audiology services, too many people were still
waiting too long. The Minister, he
said, should investigate how these extra funds have been spent and, if the
service cannot meet demand, seek outside help.
“There is a particular need
for audiology services in communities like ours, where many former workers in
heavy industry have suffered hearing loss,” he said today.
“Sadly, despite the £600,000
invested in cutting waiting times in the area – announced some 18 months ago
– and the best efforts of the front-line staff, I still have constituents
waiting and waiting for digital hearing aids.
“Although I make regular
representations to local health officials on the matter, I believe the Minister
should examine how the extra money provided by his department has been spent and
why better results have not been achieved.
I will also be urging him, if the service remains unable to meet demand,
to consider enlisting outside help to clear the backlog.”
It was announced in January
2005 that £587,432 was to be invested in audiology services in what was then
Argyll and Clyde – a 260% increase on the previous year.
At the time, it was envisaged
that the extra funds would speed up the service and clear the backlog by
providing more staff and paying them overtime to work weekends.
ENDS
Back to Current Press Releases
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ Directgov ] [ Scottish Parliament ]