This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Action to improve hearing services
26/04/2005
NHS Boards have been given the go-ahead to use the
private sector to reduce waiting times for audiology
services.
Deputy Health Minister Rhona Brankin made this
announcement as she visited a new high-tech NHS audiology
centre in Hamilton.
Ms Brankin said:
"The Executive is fully committed to the modernisation
of hearing aid services and to patients receiving
appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.
"My announcement today will enable NHS Boards to reduce
the amount of time patients in some areas of the country
are waiting to be assessed and then receive treatment.
"I am very impressed by the modern facilities and the
state-of-the-art equipment that is available to patients
using this new centre.
"Some 730,000 adults in Scotland suffer from hearing
impairment at present and this is likely to increase in the
future as the population gets older.
"We want to provide every single one of these people
with a hearing aid that adequately meets their individual
needs. We also want to ensure that the fitting and
follow-up service they receive means the hearing aid
effectively deals with their condition.
"Good progress is being made towards providing a
modernised audiology service in Scotland and it is really
encouraging to see positive results in only the second year
of a four-year modernisation project.
"I look forward to seeing even more progress made in the
next 12 months."
The new arrangements will enable NHS Boards to buy in
the services of the private sector. Private sector staff
will use existing NHS facilities and will increase clinic
throughput and extend clinic times to evenings and
weekends.
The tender document has been prepared and distributed
and it is hoped the contract will start in July 2005.
Contract negotiations are being handled by Scottish
Healthcare Supplies.
Around £17 million central funding is being made
available over the period 2003/04 - 2006/07. General
allocations to NHS Boards will be increased in 2006/07 and
in following years.
In 2006/08 the increase will be ring fenced for the
operation/improvement of a modernised audiology service.
The increased general allocation will be £5.1 million per
year.