Question reference: S6W-09453
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 29 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons were for the decision to cease separate publication of waiting times to access audiology services after May 2014, and whether the renewed publication of waiting times for audiology services, for both adults and children, will be considered as part of the review of audiology services in Scotland announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
Answer
Audiology Waiting Times have not been published since 27 May 2014, following an agreement between the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland that this was no longer required. Audiology services are currently measured as part of the 18 Weeks Referral to Treatment (RTT) standard. For more information on this standard, and to view the latest publication, please see the 18 Weeks RTT page . Please note that this publication does not go down to specialty level and shows the performance of NHSScotland and the Health Boards for all specialties only. This information can also be found at ISD Audiology Waiting Times website .
In January 2022 the Cabinet Secretary of Health and Social Care announced an Independent Review of Audiology would be established to examine hearing services provided to both children and adults in Health Boards across Scotland, to ensure public confidence in the quality and effectiveness of current service provision. The group will provide recommendations for a national plan for improvement of the service and its specific remit will be published by the Chair via its Terms of Reference in due course.