Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to debate of 24 March 2017, HC Deb Volume 623, col 1111, on cochlear implantation, what progress his Department has made on finalising new proposals from NICE on cochlear implants.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently received a significant amount of information regarding its published technology appraisal guidance on cochlear implants and as a result it needs to conduct a more in-depth consideration which has resulted in a delay. NICE is in the process of analysing the evidence and aims to go out to consultation on a Review Proposal in early 2018. The Review decision will be published after the consultation.