Due to changing perceptions of hearing problems and a greater willingness to seek help, the Island’s Hearing Aid Service has seen large increases in the numbers of patients attending the clinic over recent years. In an effort to reduce waiting times, the Department of Health’s Audiology Service at Noble’s Hospital is raising awareness of the need for Audiology patients to attend their appointments. Patients are also being reminded that the clinic offers a ‘drop in’ service where patients can be seen without appointment for minor issues such as tubing replacement in hearing aids.
Member for Health Services, Dudley Butt MLC said: “It is vitally important that patients attend their appointments, as missed appointments can be very expensive and puts a strain on resources. I would encourage anyone who makes an appointment to attend, as it is paramount that we do all that we can to keep waiting times across the Department, low.
“Since its introduction, the ‘drop in’ service, which now has the support of Hear2Help volunteers, has been a resounding success. This service has helped drive down waiting times as minor procedures are able to be resolved on a walk-in basis. This has freed up valuable resources leaving the Audiology Team able to deal with the more major concerns that patients have.”
Stephen Griffiths, Head of Audiology said: “Whilst the team are working tirelessly to keep waiting times down, many existing hearing aid users are unaware of the availability of the drop in clinics based around the Island. Also, patients often arrange appointments and then fail to attend.
“We want to offer a service convenient to patients, and so want to ensure that hearing aid users make full use of the drop in clinics and realise they don’t have to make appointments for minor issues. I would stress though, that the Audiologists working day involves many other duties; therefore it is important that patients needing a hearing aid repair only drop in during the specific times. As always, I also urge patients with booked appointments to let us know if they cannot attend, so we can offer the slot to someone else.”
Patients who are already registered with the Audiology Service can attend drop in clinics without an appointment for minor hearing aid repairs and hearing issues on certain days.
The drop in clinics are as follows:
Noble’s Hospital
• Monday, 9.30am – 12 noon
• Friday, 9.30am – 12 noon.
• Wednesday 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital; Monday, 9.30am – 12 noon
Thie Rosien (Old Southlands), Port Erin; Tuesday, 9.30am – 12 noon
For more information on Audiology visit www.gov.im/health/audiology or contact the Audiology Department on 650407.
