BCIG - British Cochlear Implant Group

It might be fair to say that the principles of BCIG gradually emerged as the benefits of Cochlear Implants became more tangible. Commercial multichannel implants were introduced in to the UK in 1988, funded by charity. One of the first meetings on Cochlear implants in the overall management of hearing impairment took place on February 24th 1989. Speakers, included were Graham Fraser, Roger Thornton, Huw Cooper, Christine Harding (a patient), Damien Bains’ mother, Richard Ramsden and Sue Roberts. Constitutional organisation for a formal BCIG took place later in the year.

The main focus at that time was coordination of centres in response to Government funding for a 3 year assessment, over seen by Quentin Summerfield and David Marshall. The study successfully showed that CI’s were both clinically and cost effective in the treatment of severe to profound earing loss. It also saw the transformation of funding from charity to the National Health Service.

Between 1990 and 2003 BCIG met twice a year holding a 1 day academic and a 1 day ‘Business’ meeting. Eventually this was formalised into the annual two day meetings that are currently held today.

We are still trying to un-earth details of the earlier meetings – so any information would be really appreciated.