To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent average waiting time is for (a) audiology appointments and (b) the issue of a digital hearing aid in Tunbridge Wells constituency. (154473)

This information is not held centrally in the format requested.

However, the following data show waiting times for audiological assessments in West Kent primary care trust and nationally as at July 2007 and published on 12 September 2007.

West Kent Primary Care Trust

Total waiting for an audiological assessment: 1,765 with 1,060 waiting over 13 weeks.

National

Total waiting for an audiological assessment: 116,915 with 63,161 waiting over 13 weeks.