Visiting Specsavers Newcastle, the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West visit was told that residents cannot access vital NHS hearing care in the community because the services are not commissioned by the NHS locally.
‘Hearing health is incredibly important. During my visit I saw how Specsavers supports community audiologists to deliver primary care services’ says Ms Onwurah.
‘I want all my constituents to have easily accessible, affordable, and expert NHS audiology support. I will be raising with Ministers and the local Care Board how this can be achieved.’
John Loughran, director and one of the partners at the Specsavers store, says: ‘An NHS-commissioned primary care audiology service would make a world of difference for patients.
‘We appreciate the visit of Ms Onwurah to discuss this issue and talk about the vital role of community audiologists, along with optometrists, in supporting patients and the NHS by bringing care closer to home for people.’
He adds: ‘Specsavers is committed to changing lives through better sight and hearing – and we’ll continue to engage with our NHS colleagues to discuss the benefits of a community audiology service.’
As well as being the leading provider of NHS primary care optometry services, Specsavers also provides more than 40% of NHS community audiology services in England. Its experts support more than 200,000 NHS audiology patients a year. Ear wax removal is another popular service offered by Specsavers.
Specsavers Newcastle is open seven days a week. To book an appointment, visit the website or call the store on 0191 233 0077 for eye health specialists and audiology care.
For those that can’t leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness, Specsavers also offers a Home Visits service covering more than 90% of the UK – with more details available on the website.