The Health Select Committee today publishes its Fifth Report of Session 2006-07 on Audiology Services (HC 392).  The Committee heard evidence that there are about half a million people waiting for modern digital hearing aids in the NHS right now, with some having waited more than two years. This shows the low priority given to audiology services, and it must be addressed urgently, the Committee argues.

Doug Naysmith, MP for Bristol North West and a member of the Committee, said: “the long delays being experienced by those who need modern hearing aids is unacceptable.  As of December 2006, two thirds of people in the South West had to wait over 13 weeks, and there were nearly 30,000 people waiting, yet this was by no means the worst in the country.  In some areas people were expected to wait up to 45 weeks.  While I realise there are difficulties in applying targets in this area, I believe it is important that a system is put in place to end this inequality in audiology services.”

The Committee welcomed the publication of the Government’s new framework Improving Audiology Services in England, however this was delivered almost a year later than the RNID expected and coincidentally two days before the Committee took evidence on the subject.  They are also concerned that this framework does not add much that is new and crucially continues to keep audiology outside the 18-week referral to treatment target, which applies to consultant-led services.

The Government has plans to increase the use of the private sector in audiology. It must make evidence-based decisions and ensure value for money. In order to accurately assess the value of independent treatment, the Committee calls for the introduction of a national tariff for audiology.

Although audiology services have improved greatly as a result of the introduction of digital hearing aids, the Committee found that this led to a surge in demand and hence increased waiting times, which was surprisingly not anticipated.    Doug Naysmith said that: “regardless of whether the current high level of demand is a temporary phenomenon or a long-term trend, it is clear that extra capacity is needed now.”

Kevin Barron, chairman of the committee said: “It is appalling that we don't know either the extent of current delays or the likely levels of future demand for audiology services. Effective forecasting is essential. The Government must ensure that this information is available as soon as possible. Future policy must be made in an evidence-based manner.”