Decision on Staffordshire hearing aid cuts delayed
A decision on plans to reduce the provision of hearings for people in South Staffordshire look set to be put back by six months.
Clinical Commissioning Groups were due to cut funding for the devices for people with mild to moderate hearing loss from April.
The move would have affected around 15 per cent of people with hearing problems in Stafford, Stone, Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley as well as parts in the south of the county.
But following a vocal public meeting on the proposal last year health bosses have now stated the current contract will be extended until September.
Andrew Donald, accountable officers for Cannock Chase and Stafford & Surrounds CCGs said: "We now recognise the strength of feeling generated by the proposal to introduce eligibility criteria for access to the provision of NHS Hearing Aids.
"This was expressed both on the day and through the contact we have had with local people and do not believe there is any value in proceeding to a full consultation exercise.
"We will extend the current contracts until September 2016, by which time we are expecting some guidance to be produced by the Hearing Loss Advisory Group who are producing guidance for commissioners on the implementation of the Hearing Loss Action Plan."
