Wyre Forest over-55s get choice over hearing loss care (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Wyre Forest over-55s get choice over hearing loss care

12:50pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

WYRE Forest patients aged over 55 who need care for age-related hearing loss now have more choice about where and how they receive their care as well as who provides it.

Patients meeting criteria for non-complex hearing loss will be able to choose which service provider they are referred to from a list of approved providers The providers have all been approved through the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) initiative to deliver the designated service.

Anita Roberts, deputy head of commissioning and service redesign for NHS Worcestershire, said: “The idea of offering patients a choice of provider is that it will help to improve access and quality of services for those patients requiring access to non-complex hearing services.”

Patients needing a range of operations or other planned care have had the choice for some time and AQP extends choice to services which might be delivered by existing NHS providers or independent sector providers in a variety of settings including hospital, community settings or the high street.

Ms Roberts added: “Under Any Qualified Provider, providers will offer services to patients on the basis of quality and patient satisfaction, not on price. This will improve clinical standards and quality of the services delivered, alongside offering excellent patient experience.”

Patient who want to find out more about AQP and their choices in relation to adult hearing services should contact their GP.

Those patients already receiving care will also be able to get advice from their doctor on whether they are suitable for AQP and what choices might be available to them.