Community Audiology Service for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

The following is a PIN notice only and is being placed to alert providers to a potential future procurement exercise for Community Audiology Services. Any values and timescales stated within this PIN notice are for guideline purposes only and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Groups ("the CCGs") are considering their options for commissioning an age related hearing loss service for adults aged over 55 years.

The aim is to provide a comprehensive service for adults experiencing hearing and communication difficulties where they may benefit from hearing assessment and rehabilitation (including the option of trying hearing aids) with aftercare and support. This will be in line with the National Commissioning Framework, other national guidance and local requirements.

The vision for people with age related hearing problems is for them to receive high quality, effective services delivered closer to home, with short waiting times and high responsiveness to the needs of local communities, free at the point of access. The service should include flexibility to provide later evening and/or weekend appointments outside of regular working hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

The Adult Hearing Service will consist of

• Self-referral and GP referrals into the service
• A pre-assessment questionnaire and triage tobe undertaken to confirm suitability for the Hearing loss service.
• Hearing needs assessment;
• Advice on self-management of ear wax and ear wax removal where necessary
• Development of a personalised care plan;
• Provision and fitting of hearing aid(s), where clinically appropriate and agreed with the service user;
• Appropriate hearing rehabilitation, for example service user information; hearing therapy;
• Information on and signposting to any relevant communication/social support services;
• Follow-up appointment to assess whether needs have been met;
• Discharge from hearing assessment and fitting pathway;
• Aftercare services for the duration of the patient pathway (where hearing needs remain unchanged), including advice, maintenance and repairs or replacements of hearing aids.
• Battery, tips, domes, wax filters and tube replacement service.
• Assessment of usage of hearing aid and appropriate action if the patient is not coping with them.
• Re-assessment of patient needs after three years with annual aftercare until hearing needs change.
• Provision for service user complaints and feedback to the Provider.

These services could be delivered by multiple providers under a framework agreement or AQP and should be available to the whole of each county rather than part of it.

Please see the attached document for a full description, including potential tariffs and instructions on how to express interest.