The National Deaf Children’s Society has welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to accept all of the recommendations of the  Independent Review of audiology in Scotland, in principle, and to now establish a National Implementation Group to examine how best to implement the recommendations.

The review took place following the NHS Lothian audiology scandal.

Mark Ballard, Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:  

“Deaf children and their families will welcome the publication of the Scottish Government response to the Independent Review of Audiology. The review identified multiple, systemic problems within audiology services in NHS Scotland.

“We have called for the Scottish Government to grasp this opportunity for transformative change to make sure audiology is safe and fit for purpose. Parents will be relieved that the Scottish Government has committed to accept all of the review’s recommendations in principle – although we all recognise there is much work to be done to deliver on them.

“The independent review raised significant concerns about how well the results of the specialist tests carried out on children where hearing loss is suspected were being assessed. Issues with the assessment of the results of these tests, known as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) tests, were identified in every Scottish health board area. So, we’re delighted the Scottish Government has committed to act on the various recommendations made in the review to improve ABR testing.

“However, these concerns were flagged to the Scottish government eight months ago, so it is absolutely vital that we act at pace to deliver these recommendations.

“One of the key findings in the report was that there has been a long term lack of investment and prioritisation of audiology services in Scotland. In order to achieve the shared ambition of making sure audiology services are safe and fit for purpose, appropriate funding will need to be found as part of implementation.

“It is therefore great that the Scottish Government has committed to ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience are front and centre of the new National Implementation Group.

“While we welcome this commitment to implement the recommendations of the review, the we look to the Scottish Government to provide more detail and expand on their current commitments, so that deaf children and their families can be sure that will be no repeat of the NHS Lothian scandal.

“We’ll continue to campaign tirelessly until we’re satisfied plans are in place to ensure hearing services across the country are fully staffed and operating at a consistent quality, with monitoring and data collection in place – all of which are crucial if we’re to fix a broken system.

“We know deaf children can achieve anything that hearing children can when they get the right support, but for this to happen their deafness must be identified at the earliest opportunity. This is why it is vitally important that children always receive high-quality and effective testing and long-term support.”

In answer to a question asked in the Scottish Parliament by the SNP MSP for Stirling Evelyn Tweed, Jenni Minto Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health said:

“The Scottish Government welcomes the report from the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, and knows that there is work to be done to support improvement of audiology services across the country.

“We accept all of the recommendations in principle, and will now establish a National Implementation Group to examine how best to implement the recommendations.

“This Implementation Group will be formed with partners from the third sector, as well as the health service, which will allow us to ensure the voices of those with lived experience are front and centre as changes are made.

“We will ensure that Parliament is kept updated with progress.”

Archived story: Report on Children’s Audiology Services is a “first step in a process of change”