BSHAA Chief Executive Prof David Welbourn said: “BSHAA welcomes this important step, which alongside recent publications will bring us ever closer to an agreed and clear understanding, supported by evidence, that hearing care must no longer be consigned to the margins of care. We need some time to scrutinise the details contained in the guidance, and will be looking especially closely to ensure that the guidance fully recognises the high quality of care available from independent audiologists.
“BSHAA is registered as a stakeholder in the consultation process and will be responding on behalf of members. If you want to contribute to this important consultation, do let me have your input before the end of December.
“We have recently concluded consultation on a revision to our own guidance on onward referral when a client/patient’s needs lie outside an audiologist’s scope of practice. Our guidance was fully supported by all the stakeholder groups we involved, and some groups gave a very strong welcomed. We will be launching this guidance at a webinar on 18 January.”