Taking action on access to cochlear implants
A year after a big breakthrough that promised to end the postcode lottery on cochlear implants, NDCS has been working hard to make sure that every family who chooses the option of cochlear implants for their deaf child is able to get one.
Last year, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which decides which treatments and procedures should be available on the NHS, decided that all severely to profoundly deaf children should be given the option of a cochlear implant in one or both ears. Importantly, those that already had one implant were also given the option of a second 'sequential' implant. Patients have a legal right to treatments and procedures recommended by NICE.
However, families have reported problems in a few areas. NDCS is taking swift action to support these families and ensure that their legal entitlement to this procedure is upheld.
North West of England
In Cheshire, an NDCS Family Officer and Regional Director supported Keith Millbanks in his efforts to secure a second sequential implant for his deaf son. After a long battle and three requests for funding, the Central and East Cheshire Primary Care Trust finally backed down and agreed to fund the second implant. NDCS also helped ensure the story get coverage in the local paper, Knutsford Guardian (external website), to highlight the bureaucratic hoops faced by this family.
London
In another example, NDCS was contacted by families in London with concerns about cochlear implant testing facilities at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. After NDCS intervened, the Trust confirmed that there had been problems with finding space, but that it hoped to begin operations in June 2010. The Trust is now contacting local families of patients to arrange assessments.
Contact us
NDCS is continuing to monitor how primary care trusts across England are implementing the NICE recommendations. If your family is experiencing difficulties in your area, please contact NDCS to let us know, either by emailing us, leaving a message at the bottom of this page or by contacting our Freephone Helpline.
More information:
Contact: campaigns@ndcs.org.uk
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