28 January 2022

NCHA member update – 28 January

This week:

• World Hearing Day 2022
• New national study of hearing in England
• Hearing loss in military personnel
• Making Tax Digital for VAT is coming - are you ready?
• Other sector news
• Health policy update

World Hearing Day 2022

The theme for World Hearing Day, on 3 March 2022, is 'To hear for life, listen with care'. It will focus on the importance of safe listening for maintaining lifelong good hearing.

New national study of hearing in England

A new national study of hearing in England reports regional variation in hearing loss prevalence among participants of a similar age. The authors also say more people in the north have hearing problems than those in the south. For example, the estimated hearing loss prevalence in the northeast of England was 49%, compared to 36% in the southeast.

Hearing loss in military personnel

Can you help with a Cardiff University survey into how tinnitus affects serving UK military personnel and their experience obtaining support from the military or the NHS? Take part.
 
In associated news, defence secretary Ben Wallace was asked by Chris Evans MP how many army personnel have been medically downgraded because of hearing loss each year for the last 10 years. In response, the department issued data covering 2015-2021, which shows around a 30% rise in cases (767 to 1,068) over this period.

Making Tax Digital for VAT is coming - are you ready?

HMRC urges VAT-registered businesses to sign up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT before the 1 April 2022 deadline, after which it becomes mandatory for all VAT-registered companies.

To sign up to MTD VAT, the business or an agent on a business's behalf need to:

1. Visit GOV.UK and choose Making Tax Digital-compatible software
2. Keep digital records from 1 April 2022 or the beginning of their VAT period
3. Sign up and submit their VAT return through MTD.

An approved list of software compatible with MTD for VAT, including low-cost options, is on GOV.UK.

You can also find help and support on how to sign up for Making Tax Digital, or your accountant can do this for you. 

Other sector news

The HCPC diversity survey carried out between December 2020 and March 2021 across 15 health and care professions revealed:

• 6% of hearing aid dispensers identified as disabled - the joint highest percentage across all 15 health and care professions
• 22% of registrants had caring responsibilities - the lowest percentage.

David Welbourn, chief executive of BSHAA, has announced he will retire this summer.
 
BSHAA has elected Rob Donnan as vice president. He took up the post this month. Next January, he will take over as president for two years.
 
Rebecca Mansell has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the British Deaf Association.
 
A new study will explore whether AI can help determine who is suitable for a cochlear implant.
 
Jonathan Parsons blogs on the future of NHS audiology as a social enterprise.
 
The BSA Council invites nominations for the role of vice-chair. If you're interested, complete the application form by 15 February.
 
A study concludes that using a hearing aid lowers the risk of developing dementia.
 
Manchester University is researching the confidence of staff dealing with patients who have dementia in the audiology setting. Take part.
 
As the FDA prepares to publish rules on over the counter (OTC) hearing aids, global hearing technology company Starkey's president has written to the US President. Brandon Sawalich restates that over-the-counter hearing aids are medical devices and should be regulated as such.
 
An article in Health Affairs highlights recent reports making the case for expanding Medicare, the US federal health insurance system for over 65s, to include hearing aids. This is considered part of the US budget bill for 2021-22.

Health policy update

Scotland

• The Scottish government's Secretary for Health and Social Care has announced that an independent chair will be appointed to oversee the upcoming Review of Audiology Services in Scotland. The review will examine hearing services to children and adults in Health Boards across Scotland and develop a national plan of service improvements. The chair will provide leadership and oversight for the review.
• Applications for the role of the chair are open until 3pm on 4 February. Read the position specification. To be considered, please get in touch with the chief healthcare science officer for Scotland at [email protected] to arrange an informal conversation about the role and the review's remit.
• The Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is looking into how patients access primary care?in Scotland. The inquiry will explore how alternative pathways are accessed and used in primary care. To take part, email NCHA Scotland at [email protected].

England

Richard Meddings has been appointed as chair of NHS England, replacing Lord Prior of Brampton, who will stand down at the end of this financial year.
 
The UK Professional Standards Authority has released a statement supporting proposals in the newly published consultation 'Healthcare regulation: deciding when statutory regulation is appropriate'.