10 December 2021

NCHA member update – 10 December

This week:

• Paediatric hearing care services criticised
• Shining a spotlight on hearing loss
• HCPC statement on working through the pandemic
• NCHA opening times
• Other sector news

Paediatric hearing care services criticised

The BBC reported this week that an independent investigation criticised NHS Lothian for serious failings in standards of care offered to children. In a detailed review of local NHS paediatric hearing care services, a report found "significant failures" involving 155 children over a period of nine years.

The National Deaf Children's Society, which has previously raised concerns about care standards in England, said the recent findings in NHS Lothian health board call for a "sweeping review" of children's audiology services in Scotland.

Read more.

Shining a spotlight on hearing loss

This week, the success of Rose Ayling-Ellis in Strictly Come Dancing shone the spotlight on hearing loss, which the BBC said was an "invisible disability". The BBC shows how Rose, the show's first deaf contestant, has inspired other deaf people to pursue careers in the arts. Read the full story.

HCPC statement on working through the pandemic

The HCPC, in a joint statement with other regulators, has reassured all registrants that it understands how difficult it is to work through ongoing pandemic and seasonal pressures.
 
The statement encourages audiologists registered with the HCPC to work "in partnership with each other and people using services, to use their professional judgement to assess risk and to deliver safe care informed by any relevant guidance and the values and principles set out in their professional standards". Read the complete statement.

NCHA opening times

Although this is the last newsletter of 2021, rest assured that we will continue to send you member alerts on any urgent issues. The next regular update will be on 7 January 2022.
 
The office will be closed from 23 December to 4 January, but members can still reach us for support and advice. Email [email protected].

Other sector news

The Hearing Journal reports on computational audiology as having the "potential for the advancement of the field as well as efforts to address the global burden of hearing loss". Read the full article.
 
The British Deaf Association (BDA) met Sir Iain Duncan Smith to share stories about Deaf BSL users and views on the current Equality Act. Sir Iain said he supported proposals for a BSL Act and would discuss it with the Minister for Disabled People.