Current status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 1 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a plan to deliver the commitment set out in the SNP’s 2026 election manifesto to shift the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated age-related hearing loss into community-based care, and what milestones and target dates have been set for the delivery of this commitment.
The Scottish Government remains committed to improving audiology services across Scotland and we continue to work closely with stakeholders to determine how best to move the provision of audiology care into community settings.
On 27 August 2026, I wrote to the Health, Care and Sport Committee to provide an update on my meeting with NHS Heads of Service, community audiology providers and other key stakeholders as part of this government’s 100 days prospectus. This meeting centred on a draft proposal for development of a Target Operating Model for audiology, and my letter sets out more detail on the Scottish Government’s immediate priorities for audiology services. It can be read in full here: 20260827 Minister for Community Care to Convener | Scottish Parliament Website
As this work is at an early stage and discussions with stakeholders are ongoing, a more detailed delivery plan will follow in due course.