Page 15 - Primary Care Audiology

NHS evidence

NHS evidence has already shown that offering patients a choice of
a local provider for audiology saves the NHS money, drives higher
standards, improves access and means more people can be treated
for the same spend. 33

Supporting evidence from NHS commissioning
NHS evidence shows that expanding patient choice for adult
hearing services:

• Establishes more robust or higher standards
• Makes services more accessible for patients
• Improves access, which can lead to savings for the wider
system by reducing pressures on health and social services as
consequences of untreated hearing loss
• Reduces the cost per pathway by 20% to 25%

“This can allow commissioners to treat more patients
for the same spend and/or release additional funds
that commissioners can spend on meeting other
patients’ needs”

NHS Research 35

Primary care audiology – accessible ear and hearing care for all 15