A brief look - Audiology services
Download (PDF 1.41 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent created a report to look at experiences from people in the area with mild to moderate hearing loss of a change in audiology providers and to look at opportunities for service improvement.
Experiences and opinions were collected from the Healthwatch Stoke online feedback centre and via a survey. There were 47 survey responses and a response through the feedback centre.
Concerns reported include:
- Waiting times
- Difficulties accessing the service, particularly if transport is an issue or disability is a factor.
- Batteries for hearing aids, especially access to a number of them so repeated visits to a supplier can be avoided.
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent made 5 recommendations in the report:
An adequate amount of batteries to be dispensed to patients who may struggle to access services, such as those with caring responsibilities.
Suppliers of batteries should consider the wearers usage pattern.
Patients to be fully supported to access services, including prompt home visits where necessary.
Patients to be fully informed of changes as they occur to allow them to make any adjustments they deem necessary. This could include the CCG website for example.
Waiting times need to be addressed and reviewed as user habits may cause movement between venues.
There is no provider response included in the report.