For NICE and the NHS:
- recognise that binaural assistive hearing rather than unilateral assistive hearing should be the goal of NHS provision for all severely or profoundly deaf patients
- bring the UK into line with many other countries by accepting the case for funding bilateral CIs and expanding the availability of bilateral CI provision in the UK
For cochlear implant manufacturers:
- negotiate with the NHS to bring the price of bilateral CI packages down to a level that meets NHS cost effectiveness criteria
- such negotiation would still allow CI manufacturers to dramatically increase their revenues and profits – it would be a win/win/win for the manufacturers, the NHS and patients
For cochlear implant centres:
- review services around a bilateral model rather than a unilateral model of provision
- use the new model of services to look for synergies that can further the cost effectiveness of bilateral provision
For individual professionals and patients
- respond to the NICE consultation on its draft appraisal document at Cochlear implants: appraisal consultation document. Copy any response you have sent onto our ‘add your voice’ page
- invite your MP, NHS decision-maker or other public figures that you know to visit this website and then to state his or her position on bilateral CIs to NICE and on our ‘add your voice’ page
