A CALL for Bolton newborn babies to be automatically screened for deafness has been made by Bolton South East MP Dr Brian Iddon.

Dr Iddon is urging health minister Yvette Cooper to make the test, and crucial follow up support, available to all of his constituents.

A pilot programme to bring in the new testing has been introduced in 20 authorities in England -- but Bolton has been excluded. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf say the test is vital for the early identification of deafness.

The test is carried out within 48 hours of birth allowing deafness to be recognised much earlier.

At present the RNID say children who are deaf are not being detected until 42 months.

Dr Brian Iddon said: "I want all newborn babies in Bolton South East to benefit from this test, not just a few lucky enough to be born in the limited number of health authorities participating in the pilot scheme.

"That is why I and nearly two hundred other MPs are supporting this important campaign.

"It is vital that the government moves quickly to keep their promise and announce a firm timetable for implementation.

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"Only once a timetable is crystal clear can health and education authorities start working together to provide deaf children identified by the screen with appropriate follow-up support.

"For newborn babies in Bolton South East, it can't happen too soon." Dr Iddon is supporting a House of Commons Motion calling for universal screening.

The RNID insist that the current method could mean many children who are deaf are going undetected until their are four years old causing serious long-term problems for the child.