Page 3 - Primary Care Audiology

Primary care audiology

– the need for change

Primary care is the central pillar of the NHS from which all other
healthcare flows. It is the first port of call for prevention, diagnosis
and treatment for people concerned about their health and
wellbeing. It is also the front door to specialist services for the small
proportion of people who do need to travel to hospital for care.
In the UK, people benefit from NHS-funded primary care from GPs,
optometrists, dentists and pharmacists. In contrast, historically,
only those with the ability to pay have benefited from an accessible
primary care audiology service. Most patients needing NHS ear and
hearing care are still required to see their GP first for a referral. Many
NHS patients must then travel to a hospital to access non-medical
ear and hearing care from services which have long struggled to
meet needs in a timely and sustainable way. 1
This two-tier system is inherently unjust. It undermines the
fundamental principles of the NHS and exacerbates health
inequalities. This helps explain why the Royal National Institute for
Deaf People (RNID), health experts and policymakers have repeatedly
called for better access to primary ear and hearing care services.
2

“At the moment, when we talk about primary care, we mean
general practice, pharmacy, optometry and dentistry. I always
put in a case for audiology being included within that family. If
you have your eyes and your teeth [checked], why would you not
include your ears?”
Professor Claire Fuller, CEO NHS Integrated Care System, now
NHS England medical director for primary care 3

Primary care audiology – accessible ear and hearing care for all 3