Pharmacies around the Island are now able to distribute free batteries to thousands of hearing aid users on behalf of the NHS.

The new service is designed to improve convenience for patients, helping them to avoid regular trips to Noble’s Hospital.

The collaboration to move the service to local pharmacies is part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s five-year strategy, which aims to move some services to the community, closer to people’s homes.

Stephen Griffiths, Head of Audiology services, said: ‘Along with our regular drop-in clinics at Ramsey Cottage Hospital and Thie Rosien in Port Erin, this new initiative further demonstrates my department’s commitment towards making our services as accessible as possible for patients.’

Patients must produce their plastic NHS hearing aid ID card to take advantage of the service at pharmacies participating in the scheme.

Ian Hemensley, of the Isle of Man Pharmacy Contractors’ Association, said: ‘Allowing NHS hearing aid batteries to be available from pharmacies in addition to the Audiology Department at Noble’s Hospital is a positive move and will hopefully prove popular and more convenient for patients.

‘Community pharmacies on the Island are happy to support the initiative. Patients just need to present their NHS hearing aid record card to pharmacy staff to be able to collect a supply of two packs of batteries per hearing aid.’

Anyone who is concerned they may have hearing loss but has never seen an audiologist or is looking to obtain NHS hearing aids can also pick up a self-referral form at any of the participating pharmacies.

The pharmacies taking part in the scheme are: Clear Pharmacy, 8-10 Atholl Place, Peel; Clear Pharmacy, Darnill’s Complex, Station Road, Port Erin; Clear Pharmacy, Helmshore House, Bay View Road, Port St Mary; Clear Pharmacy, 6-8 Michael Street, Peel; Clear Pharmacy, 13 Castle Street, Douglas; The Village Pharmacy, Kirk Michael; Costain’s Pharmacy, Main Road, Ballasalla; Hemensley’s, 1 Windsor Road, Douglas; Kinrade’s Pharmacy Ballaquayle Road, Douglas; SC Rodan 15 New Road Laxey.

For further information, contact the Audiology Department at Noble’s Hospital on 650407.