Public participation invited to further improve audiology services in the Western Isles

Members of the public are being invited to join an Audiology Service Working Group to further enhance Audiology Services in the Western Isles.

A new Audiology Service in the Western Isles was launched in April 2011, with the appointment of a Lead Audiologist. NHS Western Isles now wishes to further improve services in partnership with members of the public.

The service was developed last year in partnership with NHS Highland, when Gabrielle Mason was appointed as Lead Audiologist. Ms Mason’s appointment meant that all patients (with the exception of balance patients) could attend audiology clinics locally. Ms Mason covers ENT clinics (Ear Nose and Throat), manages direct referrals and deals with hearing aid fittings and repairs.

Ms Mason, who is based in the Western Isles, holds clinics in both Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh and St Brendan’s periodically, as well as daily clinics – Monday to Friday – in Western Isles Hospital.

Since Ms Mason’s appointment last year, the Audiology Clinic in Western Isles Hospital has been modernised with new equipment to enable her to assess children under the age of five. Waiting times have also reduced dramatically, and in fact exceed national targets.

Ms Mason explained: “We now also have a follow up service that offers support, advice and counselling. Tinnitus counselling is also available. Children are now being seen at Western Isles Hospital for assessments and hearing aid support, so they are no longer going to Inverness for treatment at all. It’s now also possible to test children from the age of eight months upwards with a new speaker system in place. We also have portable equipment available to do hearing assessments and fit hearing aids in patients’ homes when they are housebound.”

The portable system is also taken to Barra and Benbecula periodically, improving the services offered in these areas. The Audiology Department works closely with the Western Isles Sensory Centre, which provides useful advice and information and a range of equipment that can also make life easier for people with hearing impairment. There are plans in the pipeline to hold an open clinic there, so that people can drop in for advice and treatment.

Public participation required to improve services even further

A Working Group is now being launched to improve the Audiology Service to the highest possible standard, and to ensure that improvements are patient-led and driven.

Ms Mason explained: “The group will be made up of both members of the public and healthcare staff, and everyone will be encouraged to give their views on how they’d like to see services improved. We will also be holding separate workshops for anyone who needs advice on hearing, hearing aids, tinnitus and hearing tactics.”

If you have an interest in Audiology Services, if you use the service, or if you look after someone that uses the service, you are invited to take part in the workshops. Workshops will be held once every two months at the Sensory Centre in Stornoway, and will be chaired by the Lead Audiologist. Meeting times will depend upon demand and the preferences of those who have expressed an interest.

If you would like to attend, please contact the Audiology Department in Western Isles Hospital (01851 708217) or contact the Sensory Centre (01851 701 787) and leave your contact details.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles