Hearing care should follow optical model

Optical bodies are calling on the NHS to work in partnership with the private sector to deliver access, choice and quality of hearing care services to patients.

In response to the Health Select Committee's report into audiology, published as Optician went to press, (May 16), the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, the Association of Optometrists and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, in a joint statement, expressed support for urgent action to ensure that the half a million people currently waiting for hearing aids get the care they need.

FODO chief executive David Hewlett said that while the profession supported the government's intention to increase the use of the private sector in audiology, the Department of Health should not dismiss moving to an optics model and let patients 'decide for themselves, rather than commissioning more of the same'.