One year on from the official roll out of the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening programme (NHSP) and every child in England is now screened for deafness as soon as they are born.
The test ensures that hearing loss and impairment is identified on average two years earlier than previous methods and, as early intervention is known to be vitally important for the development of all deaf children, this test in itself is a cause for celebration.
Twelve months on however, and the question of what happens after a child is identified as deaf still looms large. The reality of the situation is far from ideal.
Too many parents are discovering that while their child might well be identified as deaf as soon as they are born, the support they then need is sorely lacking.
As arguments with local authorities about entitlements persist, deaf children's communication development is put on hold and vital time is lost. Having invested in NHSP the Government must now ensure that the full range of essential support services are available to every family.
Susan Daniels, Chief executive National Deaf Children Society, London
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