Audiology- Hearing Loss Service Adults 55+ for Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group

Midlands and Lancashire CSU on behalf of Shropshire CCG The Commissioner is seeking suitably qualified providers to deliver a Mild to Moderate (20-70db) Hearing Loss Service for Adults Aged 55 and Over.

This service is being commissioned using the Any Qualified Provider process.

The qualification period for the AQP accreditation will be for 3 years from the 1st April 2016.

Aims and objectives of service The aim is to provide a comprehensive patient-centred direct access adult hearing service for age related hearing loss for adults aged 55 and above in line with national guidance and local requirements.

Key principles of the Service, within which the Adult Hearing Service will operate, are to: •Contribute to improving the health and occupational health focus on hearing loss •Contribute to reducing prevalence of avoidable permanent hearing loss •Encourage early identification, diagnosis and management of hearing loss through improved patient and professional education •Provide person-centred care and respond to information and psychosocial needs •Support communication needs by providing timely signposting to lip reading classes, assistive technologies and other rehabilitation services beneficial to the patient •Promote inclusion and participation of people who are deaf or hard of hearing •Improved quality of life for service users, their families/carers and communication partner(s) Expected outcomes of the service: •Increased patient choice and control as to where and when their treatment is delivered – providing on-going care closer to home •Timely access to hearing assessment, fitting and follow-up •Personalised care for all service users accessing the service •Reduced social isolation and consequent mental ill health (including depression and onset of dementia) Service Description The Service will deliver a community based, adult hearing assessment service, including hearing aid fitting (where required), follow-up and aftercare services for adults aged 55 or over, with suspected or diagnosed age related hearing loss (20db-70db) who have been referred by their GP.

The Service will consist of: •Hearing needs assessment (on an outpatient or domiciliary basis) •Development of an Individual Management Plan (IMP) •Provision and fitting of hearing aids in a suitable environment (quiet, confidential, ensuring privacy and dignity); •Follow-up appointment to assess whether needs have been met •Discharge from hearing assessment and fitting pathway •Aftercare including advice, reassessment, maintenance, repairs or replacement of hearing aids and review as required •Batteries, tips, domes, wax filters, tubing and other consumables replacement service •Help and support to the housebound •Appropriate hearing rehabilitation to include patient education, lip reading etc •Information on, and signposting to any relevant communication/social support services, including assistive technologies advice