The Department does not collect waiting time information for fitting and treatment in audiology services. Since January 2006 waiting time data has been collected for pure tone audiometry (PTA) diagnostic tests and the most recent information from July 2006 was published on 13 September. Information on England and West Sussex for PTA diagnostic tests is contained in the following table.
A trajectory has been set to deliver audiology diagnostic tests within 13 weeks by March 2007 and 6 weeks by December 2008. A national audiology action plan is being developed that will include action on waiting times.
Total waiting Number waiting 13+ weeks Number waiting 26+ weeks National Summary 128,082 81,346 58,038 Western Sussex PCT 127 61 31