Audiology

(asked on 2nd September 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase uptake of NHS hearing services.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 5th September 2019

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) together with their local providers are responsible to ensure there are clearly defined referral arrangements in place to facilitate timely access to regular and specialist services when required. The Commissioning Framework for Hearing Loss is guidance for organisations responsible for planning and commissioning local hearing services for deaf people, published in 2016 by NHS England. The Framework offers guidance and models of care that commissioners may utilise to support local needs.

The Action Plan on Hearing Loss, published in March 2015, was developed with input from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Public Health England, other Government Departments, key stakeholders across the voluntary, professional and private sectors and people with hearing loss. The aim of the Plan is to deliver improved hearing outcomes and support for individuals, and it sets out key objectives including improving prevention, early diagnosis, maximising independence, and enabling people to take part in everyday activities, like going to work.

In July 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published a quality standard for adult-onset hearing loss. This will support CCGs to improve the commissioning of services.

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