Deaf News: First ever NHS National Commissioning Framework for deaf people is launched

A new guide to help organisations responsible for planning and commissioning local hearing services for deaf people and those with diminishing hearing has been officially launched by NHS England.

The Commissioning Services for People with Hearing Loss – a Framework for Clinical Commissioning Groups, was presented by the Chief Scientific Officer for England, Professor Sue Hill OBE and Jim Fitzpatrick MP , Chair of the All Party Group on Deafness at an event at Portcullis House, Westminster.

The publication – following a key recommendation made in the Action Plan on Hearing Loss last year – has been produced with patient groups, services users, hearing loss charities and healthcare providers.

The framework is intended to establish what effective commissioning looks like for CCGs by:

1. Ensuring CCGS are  supported  when choosing good value services  for their local populations
2. The needs of local people are met by high quality integrated care
3. Addressing access and outcome inequalities
4. Improving patient choice when it comes to selecting services
5. Contracting and monitoring outcomes and referrals from all providers to ensure consistency

It also features a range of local commissioning model case studies, feedback on what matters from those experiencing hearing issues and the principles required before commissioning.

In response, Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“We welcome the launch of the NHS England commissioning framework for audiology services today, and hope the publication ultimately leads to an improvement in care and support for the thousands of deaf children in England. In particular we are calling for more audiology services to achieve IQIPS accreditation, as alarmingly only 15% of paediatric audiology services have this prestigious accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to providing the highest standard of care. This is leaving too many families in the dark about how good their local children’s audiology services are, and absolutely has to change.”