Service Improvement: Supporting Information Links

Knowing where to explore for information on service improvement; or developing a new discipline within your service can be difficult. Below are some links or suggestions that you may find helpful.

NHS England, BAA , BSA and NHS Services publish proforma documents or protocols online. For example; if you are in discussion with your local commissioners to start a service . The BAA BAA Guide for commissioners and_health_boards-5.pdf (baaudiology.org) has developed a guide to direct you. NHS England has provided an example of the actual service specification document that you and your commissioners can use NHS England » Adult Hearing Service Specifications

In Their Own Words: our new report on the state of UK audiology services

It isn’t always necessary to re-invent the wheel you can adapt other services documents for yourself. The below link is an example document for Adult Audiology AQP self referral in Lancashire and Cumbria. https://www.stjamesmedical.co.uk/images/pdf/downloads/AQP-Audiology-self-referral-form.pdf

Wales: Direct Audiology Referral for MRI is an example of audiology services directly ordering MRI’s.

Lastly don’t forget to look at publications such as the The Hearing Journal, Audiology Online, Audacity by the BAA.

Feedback from courses:

Surveillance Audiometry

“Very informative with powerpoint and we had plenty of time during the practice sessions”

Impression Taking

“Getting hands on with the impression material and being guided through the correct technique. Also being able to practice on other students”

“Very open, inclusive and interactive. Felt like you could ask anything”

“Everything was explained very well and the course leader was very patient with everyone and ensured that we were competent with all of the equipment”

“The practical side of the course was great, we had lots of opportunities to practice on different people”

Adult Impression Taking

“As a complete, beginner and slightly nervous of the practical aspect, there was a great deal of empathy and confidence building through out, you never felt left behind. It was good to be led by example, and the opportunity to practice with a hand on approach was excellent” [Training course]

“Good balance of theory and practice”

“The course is very clear and well laid out. The examples of inner ear photographs were really helpful”

“Information was on point and demonstrations showed a real professional touch without being patronising”

“Being able to practice on other students knowing you have supervision from very experienced Audiologists who can instruct you in the correct way of doing Otoscopy and Impression taking had been one of the many strengths of the course. By giving you a strong foundation in Impression taking and Otoscopy along with in-depth discussion on contraindications the course arms you with so much more confidence and knowledge to pursue this area at work”