Practitioners respond to hearing care plan

Practitioners from around the country contacted by Optician have delivered a mixed response to calls by the optical bodies for the NHS to work in partnership with the private sector to provide improved hearing care services to patients.

Last week Optician reported that in response to the Health Select Committee's report into audiology (May 16), FODO, the AOP and ABDO had expressed support for action to ensure that the half a million people currently waiting for hearing aids get the care they need. The bodies said expansion of services could easily be achieved based on the current optical model, with an NHS prescription or voucher and agreement on costs.