"Government decision fails the hard of hearing" - Stunell

4.58.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Jul 2006

This week, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has condemned a Department of Health decision to drop audiology services from their 18 week maximum waiting time target for treatment.

Stockport residents already have to wait 9 months longer than patients from other areas in Greater Manchester, and Mr Stunell says that this decision could delay improvements for years.

Commenting on the news, Andrew Stunell MP said:

"I am extremely disappointed that the government has wasted this opportunity to give hearing services the same waiting time targets as other departments.

"Their decision is particularly shocking as I recently met with the Head of the Audiology Department at Stepping Hill who is trying hard to reduce the amount of time local people have to wait for a digital hearing aid. The government's decision to exclude hearing services from the waiting time target could halt the improvements that we so desperately need.

"Digital hearing aids can improve the quality of life for hundreds of people in Stockport. It is a scandal that local residents are having to wait up to 23 months for an appointment at the moment."

ENDS