To ask the Minister of Health why the Any Qualified Provider scheme, to outsource tests and hearing aid fitting to external suppliers, has not been adopted.

The Any Qualified Provider (AQP) scheme is a Department of Health and Social Care, England, initiative and has not been adopted in Northern Ireland given that the standard of testing and the hearing aids supplied under the AQP scheme are not compliant with the NI Adult Audiology Quality Standards. Our Quality Standards are the same as those used in Scotland and Wales.

The AQP scheme has also been found not to be as cost effective as initially thought due to a high return of audiology patients with complex needs to the health service for ongoing treatment and care.