A NICE result on cochlear implants
NDCS, in collaboration with other charities, has achieved a milestone victory concerning cochlear implants in England and Wales.
Cochlear implant funding for deaf children has for many families been a postcode lottery with some children offered one implant, some two and some being forced to wait until the next financial year before surgery. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE) has taken a step forward to end this.
Thanks to the joint efforts of NDCS, RNID, The Ear Foundation, NCIUA, CICS and LINK, NICE has concluded that the NHS should offer cochlear implants to all profoundly deaf children, where this is the preferred option of the family.
NICE has also concluded that all profoundly deaf children should also be offered the option of having cochlear implants in both ears, providing this is done at the same time.
For children that already have one implant, NICE has ruled that they should have the opportunity to have a second implant, if that is what the family want.
Subject to any last minute appeal, final guidance will be published at the end of October 2008. The NHS in England and Wales then has three-months in which to comply with the guidance. The DeafBlog will be keeping a close eye on its progress.
Comments
My son recently had surgery for an cochlear implant. I tried finding out ways for him to get surgery on the other ear but didn't know how to go about it. Can you help me?
Posted by: Shana | September 30, 2008 02:40 AM
To ALL profoundly deaf children whose parents approve of it? This is DEFINITELY A GREAT VICTORY!
Now only the U.S could win that battle. I am from the U.S (Washington state, near California.) I was very fortunate when I received my CI at the age of 19, 3 months ago. It was fully paid for. I chose to only get one and had actually not considered getting bilateral. I hear high sounds with my implant and deep ones with the CI. I'm not sure if this will change with a mapping or not, though.
Anyway, this is truly amazing news.
I'm just curious- how does the health system in the UK work? Is it free health care to everyone or does everyone have varying amounts of insurance, depending on their work or the area?
Posted by: Tasha | October 4, 2008 10:28 AM
I RESIDE IN INDIA. MY ONLY BABY IS HEARING IMPAIRED IN BOTH EARS. I AM PASSING MY DAYS IN GREAT ANXIETY. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE TREATMENT OF MY BABY. SHE IS 27 MONTH'S OLD. PLEASE HELP ME.
Posted by: BHARATI MAHALANABIS | December 17, 2008 05:46 PM
Hi Bharati, I'm sorry to hear about your baby. You can find out more about cochlear implants at http://www.cochlear.com.au. If you can't find the information you need there, email customerservice@cochlear.com.au and one of the Cochlear representatives will offer you more support. Good luck.
Posted by: Nicola | December 17, 2008 06:18 PM
We have gone throught the assessment process for bilateral cochlear implants for our son who was suddenly deafened this year because of CMV.
The hospital has agreed bilateral implants and we thought we were just waiting for a surgery date.
Now(yesterday), I received a letter from the NHS regarding funding, and i've had to sign a consent form for info from our doctor and had to write a written statement to support his application why i think he needs the treatment!!!!!
Our son is profoundly deaf in both ears and has lost his speech, he is nearly 4 yrs old.
We have been informed now that the application for funding goes to panel on 19th October and we should get a decision within 20 days.
Is this normal?
We thought the nhs funded implants, didnt realise we had to go to panel and ask for them to fund the implants.
Any information would be appreciated.
What do we do if they say no?
Posted by: Lizzie Mirza | October 9, 2009 05:51 PM