The following Trusts (and one PCT) will be provided with the training and equipment to fit digital hearing aids

Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust (Adults)
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital NHS Trust
Central Manchester PCT (Children)
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust (Children)*
Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (Children)
North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
North West London Hospitals NHS Trust
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Adults)
South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trusts (Adults)
St Helens and Knowsley Hospital NHS Trust (Adults)
Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust
Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust (Adults)*

Nearly a third of all audiology departments in the country are now providing digital hearing aids. This continues the programme of modernisation in hearing aid technology that began in August 2000 when 20 original sites were invited to take part in the project. A further 30 sites then joined the project in April 2002.

The first Trusts to join the project are already providing digital hearing aids as part of the modernised service. The rest will begin to use their new equipment before March 2003.

Each Trust is provided with the necessary IT and audiological equipment they will need in order to programme and fit digital hearing aids. Trust staff are then specially trained to use the equipment.

Jacqui Smith said:

"This is another major step in the modernisation of the hearing aid service, showing how well we are working with health communities throughout the country.

"We are maintaining our commitment and delivering on our promise to completely modernise and bring the hearing aid service people receive into the 21st Century.

"We have already invested more than £30 million in this project which is being enthusiastically welcomed by service users and hearing aid service providers alike."

John Low, Chief Executive of RNID, welcomed the announcement:

"The announcement that a further 17 sites are to be upgraded is excellent news for hundreds of thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people. RNID has campaigned long and hard for the modernisation of NHS services and the introduction of digital hearing aids. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Department of Health to deliver this."

"We look forward to full rollout, across the NHS, so that all hearing aid users can benefit from a modern service and the latest technology. "

The Department of Health Web site