NICE guidance
Viewpoints
Louise Craddock
Cochlear Implant Programme Co-ordinator at University Hospital Birmingham and Chair of the British Cochlear Implant Group (BCIG)
Everyone in the cochlear implant world thinks that the guidance is hugely positive - far more so than I think most of us expected. We are delighted that unilateral implants have been recommended for all severely to profoundly deaf patients. Moreover, the approval of bilateral implants for all deaf children, and adults who have another sensory disability is such a big step forward. Existing patients who would have received bilateral implants under the new guidance also have the opportunity to be assessed for a second CI, which is a very fair decision.
Another benefit of the guidance is that it should put an end to the postcode lottery, whereby in some areas of England, PCTs have restricted or even refused funding for cochlear implants.
The guidance will obviously have a big impact on all implant centres. We are anticipating that our referrals will rise due to the increased publicity and awareness, and an increase in the number of bilateral cases, especially on paediatric programmes. This will have a knock-on effect on surgical and clinical scheduling which centres must adjust for. Of course, the increase in implant cases will not lead to a decrease in the quality of care. All implant centres will deliver the same high quality care to recipients as ever.
The work doesn't stop here though. NICE will review the guidance in 2011, and we are in the process of conducting research studies to gather further evidence of the benefits of bilateral implantation over unilateral implantation.
