To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for the delay in commencing routine hearing aid assessments in Stoke-on-Trent by Mercury; what services she expects to be provided; what the timescale is for that provision; at what venues services will be provided; and if she will make a statement. (143945)

Mercury Health has a contract with the Department to provide a range of mobile diagnostic services for national health service patients, including audiology, at Stoke-on-Trent and another 50 sites across the West Midlands. Mercury has been working closely with local authorities across the West Midlands to achieve a number of planning consents to enable them to commence a service that offered the required geographical coverage.

The West Midlands diagnostic scheme is aimed at reducing waits and increasing choice for NHS patients. Service is due to commence in late June with the first audiology appointments in Stoke-on-Trent soon after. The service will include the assessment and fitting of digital hearing aids.