19 November 2021

NCHA member update - 19 November

This week:

• Positive outlook for hearing care in the UK
• Covid vaccination as a condition of deployment
• Sir Paul McCartney reveals he wears a hearing aid
• Setting Hearing Aids for Older Adults (SHAOA) survey
• Sir Michael Barber to advise on NHS waiting lists in England
• Health Committee launches inquiry into general practice's future
• BAAP Hallpike Prize 2021
• HCPC Launches perceptions survey
• Boots Hearingcare launches new qualification
• HMRC warning on self-assessment scams

Positive outlook for hearing care in the UK

This week, BIHIMA published its latest data on hearing instrument sales. The data for Q2021 show the private sector continued its period of solid growth, with over 115,000 hearing aids sold, compared to just over 84,000 in the same period before the pandemic. This represents a 36% increase.
 
The NHS has also finally started to show signs of recovery, with over 350,000 units sold, although this remains down on the 380,600 hearing aids sold in the same period before the pandemic.
 
With environmental issues at the top of the political agenda, over two-thirds of hearing aids (68%) sold by community audiologists had rechargeable batteries, moving away from traditional zinc-air batteries. In contrast, just 0.5% of devices purchased by the NHS used rechargeable batteries.
 
Access the entire dataset.

Covid vaccination as a condition of deployment

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that CQC regulated providers in England must ensure team members who have face-to-face contact with patients are fully vaccinated. Frontline healthcare workers must be fully immunised against Covid-19 no later than 1 April 2022 unless they have a medical exemption. Read the full statement.

Sir Paul McCartney reveals he wears a hearing aid

In an interview with the New Yorker magazine, Sir Paul McCartney revealed he wears a hearing aid. In an interview looking back on his life, the hearing device made an impromptu appearance in the article. He proved hearing loss is something that can affect anyone, including rock legends.

Setting Hearing Aids for Older Adults (SHAOA) survey

Take part in an SHAOA survey by Dr Richard Windle as part of the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme at the University of Manchester. The survey aims to assess current practice in NHS-funded adult rehabilitation clinics. It asks about hearing aids, fitting protocols and settings that are typically used for older adults. The survey closes on 31 March 2022. Read more and take part.

Sir Michael Barber to advise on NHS waiting lists in England

The Health Secretary has appointed Sir Michael Barber to lead a delivery unit jointly run by the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care. The unit will look at how the NHS recovers from the pandemic and seek to "mobilise the entire delivery chain that connects his office to hospitals, operating theatres and patients across the country". Sir Michael Barber previously ran the delivery unit in No10 under Tony Blair. Read more.

Health Committee launches inquiry into general practice's future

The Health Committee in the House of Commons has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into the future of general practice. It will look at whether the development of Primary Care Networks has improved the delivery of proactive, personalised, coordinated and integrated care. It will also assess how general practice can work in effective partnerships with other professions within primary care and beyond to free more GP time for patient care. If you would like to inform the NCHA's response, please email us at [email protected].

BAAP Hallpike Prize 2021

The British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians (BAAP) has launched its 2021 prize for the best project of the past 24-month period (research, audit or review of the subject) in the area of audiovestibular medicine. Read more and apply. The deadline is 5pm on 1 January 2020.

HCPC Launches perceptions survey

Following a new corporate strategy, the HCPC has launched a survey to understand stakeholders' views. The survey aims to measure confidence in the HCPC, perceptions of the HCPC as fair, inclusive, compassionate, and an approachable, responsive regulator that engages and listens to its stakeholders. The survey closes on 30 November 2021. Take part.

Boots Hearingcare launches new qualification

The HCPC has authorised a new Boots Hearingcare course, which will allow students to apply for HCPC registration as a hearing aid dispenser upon successful completion. Read more.

HMRC warning on self-assessment scams

Members who complete a self-assessment should take extra care this year as cases of fraud continue to increase. HMRC will be issuing emails and SMS to self-assessment customers reminding them to be on their guard after nearly 800,000 tax-related scams were reported in the last year. If you are in any doubt whether the email, phone call or text is genuine, check the 'HMRC scams' advice on GOV.UK and find out how to report it.