- Aim: Ensure equitable access to cochlear implants across the UK by 2010 by driving through reform of the commissioning system and launch campaign to end the ‘postcode lottery’ for cochlear implants.
- Impact: We have been actively involved in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consultation about the availability of cochlear implants and to ensure they are routinely available to adults and children who could clinically benefit from them and wish to have one.
Our commissioning guidance has helped inform commissioners on the benefits of the procedure and how they can be best commissioned. We have also directly helped individuals get access to a cochlear implant whose commissioners refused to fund them.
We have undertaken new research on parents’ perceptions of bilateral cochlear implants to ensure informed choice.
NICE has now published its guidance. Primary Care Trusts can no longer refuse to fund implants for children and adults who need and want them.
Anne's story
Anne received her cochlear implant at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and looks forward to hearing her grandchildren’s voices.
“It’s absolutely wonderful – it’s exceeded all my expectations. I haven’t been able to hear this well for years. It’s so exciting … I can’t wait to see and hear my grandchildren."
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