NCHA launches strategy to improve access to ear and hearing care
A new strategy from the NCHA, The Association for Primary Care Audiology Providers, sets out the policy priorities it will pursue to give patients better access to ear and hearing care in their local communities.
The strategy describes three high-level, interconnected policy priorities:
- MAKE IT MATTER by raising the profile of ear and hearing health.
Sarina Bassi, NCHA policy officer, said: “We know that unaddressed hearing loss can lead to people becoming isolated and disconnected from their friends, families and communities, leading to poorer health outcomes. We want to put ear and hearing care on a par with eye care, making sure that it is a priority for politicians and the health service.”
- MAKE IT WORK by promoting audiology as a primary care service.
Jen Rock, NCHA audiology officer, said: “We would like to see primary care audiology become the first point of access for all ear and hearing care needs for both NHS and self-funded pathways. One way we will do this is to develop frameworks that help stakeholders make the most of primary care audiology. We are developing a new quality framework, ‘Quality in Primary Care Audiology (QiPCA)’, which will enable providers to demonstrate that care is safe, effective and well governed, giving patients, commissioners and the wider profession greater confidence in service quality.”
- MAKE IT SECURE by protecting patient access to ear and hearing care.
Michael Guthrie, NCHA director of policy and regulation, said: “We protect patient access to ear and hearing care by supporting our members to deliver safe, ethical and high-quality patient care. Our work includes, for example, producing up-to-date guidance on clinical and compliance matters and influencing and responding to changes in policy and regulation to maximise opportunities and address any risks.”
The strategy provides a single page summary of the NCHA’s policy priorities for 2026 to 2030. It is intended to provide clarity for members, sector partners and stakeholders about the organisation’s strategic direction.
Read the policy priorities in full.
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Note for editors
The NCHA is the association for primary care audiology providers in the UK. We exist to improve ear and hearing care for all and work with the NHS, health and social care bodies and policymakers to make this happen.