02 October 2020

Friday roundup of sector news - 2 October

This week's news

• Lockdown impacts hearing aid sales
• Variation in access to wax management
• First international standard for person-centred audiology care
• 2020 BSA conference online
• HCPC updates
• Spread the cost of tax payments
• Member reminder - advice from our employment law partner

Lockdown impacts hearing aid sales

The latest British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) hearing aid sales data for Q2 2020 show fewer than 60,000 units sold compared to over 400,000 in Q2 2019.

The statistics show an 85% reduction compared to Q1, with sales down by 92% in the private sector, demonstrating the severe impact of lockdown on the hearing sector in the UK. In Ireland, sales were down by 70% compared to Q1. 

Access the full dataset.  

Variation in access to wax management

The BBC reported that Andrew Rosindell MP asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care why "earwax removal is no longer routinely available on the NHS" in England. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that local commissioners had discretion for whether to commission this service. It added: "If a local clinical commissioning group has decided not to commission an enhanced service, this may relate to population needs and value for money." 

In sharp contrast, in Wales this week, Vaughan Gething, Minister of Health and Social Services, announced a new earwax management service. He said: "Ear wax (cerumen) is a common and significant health complaint, specifically significant for people with pre-existing hearing loss as it compounds their communication difficulties. Unresolved and troublesome ear wax is a relatively easy health condition to address through removal by trained professionals." 

The pathway in Wales will provide national access to earwax management from audiologists.   

First international standard for person-centred audiology care

The ida institute has announced the launch of ISO 21388, the first international standard for hearing aid fitting management (HAFM). It called it a "major milestone in the development of standards for person-centred practices". 

The Internal Organization for Standardization (ISO), an independent NGO which develops quality standards, has published the new standard to provide a framework for pre and post fitting stages of hearing aid fittings and to improve outcomes for patients. 

Søren Nielsen, President of the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA), said: "International studies on the success of hearing care treatment prove that the more a patient is actively involved and has a say in the fitting process, he or she tends to be more satisfied with the result."  

2020 BSA conference online

The BSA Annual Conference will take place online from 12 to 19 October 2020. View the programme and register for the event by 1pm on 8 October.  

HCPC updates

The HCPC is consulting on its 2021-2026 strategy, and the NCHA policy team is reviewing this as well as the consultation on standards of proficiency for all professions on the HCPC register. We will be responding to these consultations on behalf of members - get in touch if you would like to take part. 

The HCPC has published an updated whistleblowing report in collaboration with other healthcare profession regulators in the UK. The HCPC received?eight?disclosures of information between?1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. It said this had demonstrated the "importance of working closely with employers." In response, the HCPC has launched an?employer hub where it supports employers with advice on how to support employees with CPD and supervision and other issues. 

Also, the HCPC has given its support to the development of a new complaints framework for registrants working in the NHS. Read more.  

Spread the cost of tax payments

HMRC has confirmed that from 1 October more people who complete Self-Assessment will be able to apply to spread the cost of their tax bill. People who have tax liabilities of up to £30,000 can now apply online to pay their bill in 12 monthly instalments. Read more.  

Member reminder - advice from our employment law partner

Our colleagues at WorkNest have issued the following advice after the UK government introduced a new legal duty to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19 in England.  

The law also means:

• An employer must not knowingly allow a self-isolating worker or a self-isolating agency worker to be present anywhere for work purposes, other than the place where they are self-isolating.
• An employee must inform their employer that they have to self-isolate.

In light of these new legal obligations:

• If an employee tests positive for Covid-19, is contacted by Test and Trace and told to self-isolate, or live (or are in a support bubble) with someone who has tested positive, you must notify your employer immediately. It is a serious act of misconduct not to do so. It will also be an offence under the new regulations and could result in a fine.
• Once employers know about an employee who has tested positive, they must not allow them to enter the workplace. If an employee can work from home, ask them to do so. If not, treat them as sick and entitled to [statutory sick pay OR contractual sick pay] for the self-isolation period.

Members can get in touch for more advice by emailing [email protected] or phone 01244 687602.