Not the only opticians out there!

I agree absolutely, rosequartz. Hospital parking is a nightmare - our local town centre isn't much better but at least you'll find a space within half an hour. Plus, the Specsavers/Boots/whatever outlet doesn't have that 'hospital' atmosphere that a lot of people find offputting.

Some of us already have to travel long distances for various treatments, durhamjen.

My hospital is closer than my Specsavers.
However, that does not answer the question of creeping privatisation, and what happens when your hospital audiology department has closed down because it is no longer economical.

If the audiology department stops doing hearing tests that presumably doesn't automatically mean it stops all other services under its remit? There will still be people needing them.

At least if I were to go to Specsavers/Boots/however I won't have a 30 mile round trip, pay extortionate parking charges and interminable waits I guess.

My local hospital doesn't have an audiology department.

Did it ever, Ana? Has it changed lately?

No.

I would have to go to the park and ride, and catch the bus to whichever I went to. The hospital is the first stop. The Specsavers is the fourth stop.

Audiologists can only be at one place at a time. The same people do audiology tests as do other tests. ENT departments might have problems once the E part disappears to privatisation.

durhamjen I hadn't thought about it, but I can see your point. Also, once audiology departments in hospitals have contracted and are only used to treat patients with more serious conditions, private companies will have the upper hand and what they charge the NHS for doing the routine tests will increase.

ENT consultants would still need the E durhamj!
I can't imagine their remit disappearing when aural surgery is involved.

No but there will not be the need to have so many once the low-lying fruit has been taken, i.e. the hearing tests.
This applies in this case.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/private-healthcare-companies-accused-of-using-tax-relief-to-undercut-the-nhs-10251549.html

Specsavers are not an altruistic company. There is lots of controversy about whether they pay their taxes in the country that generates their profits.

One benefit of them being outsourced is much improved accessibility for everyone as were as quicker access.

I've just explained that Specsavers is further away for me, so how is it much better access for everyone? What does quicker access mean?
I have never had any problem going to the audiology department in my local hospital wherever I lived, and I have been going since I had an eardrum graft when I was 20.
This is privatisation. Why not just say you agree with privatisation of the NHS?

I am pleased to hear that you have never had a problem whether the NHS was under the Tories or Labour, djen and hope it continues.
I would call it outsourcing under the auspices of the NHS to the benefit of the patient and I would have thought that, if then referred to a hospital consultant then you would remain under their direct care until discharged.

Our nearest Specsavers is a walk or short drive away, our nearest hospital is a 40 mile round trip, no park and ride, parking free but allow an extra hour to get a space. Wait however long to be seen.
However, if you are 5 minutes late because of parking difficulties then you are sent away and have to make another appointment.
When you finally get seen they are very good.
That is Wales, though, so it sounds as if you are better off in England.

But why should I have to go to Specsavers first to then be directed to a hospital consultant? It's putting an extra step in the process and costing more to the NHS.
Have you read the link about private companies being able to undercut the NHS because they can reclaim VAT?

I got hearing aids from Specsavers, free on the NHS, I was referred by my GP, she gave me the choice of the local hospital, (parking charges no convenient bus, long wait) or Specsavers in town centre (near a bus stop, free bus pass) I chose Specsavers, in three days I recieved a letter asking me to book an appointment on line, appointment was in two days, walked out of the shop with two hearing aids and a supply of batteries, which I can replace free of charge whenever needed plus follow up appointments when needed. I am very happy with the service. the NHS still treats serious eye problems such as cataracts and MD even though opticians prescribe glasses, so I don't see why they will close down ENT departments because of this.

Why do you expect the NHS to provide everything durhamjen? (oops, daft question given your political leanings)
The Significant Other with be making a 58 mile journey for an appointment with an opthalmist, the fee for the examination will be met by a 'mutuelle', the rest by the state. We will then take the subsequent prescription to a private optician and pay up and look cheerful for the lenses. This is how the health service works in almost every other western country. You find your own insurance company as soon as you are in paid employment. The state will look after you if you are in financial straits but until then you are responsible for your own health provision. The NHS is doomed unless a UK government adopts a similar principle. But while the Labour party has such dinosaurs (no names, no pack-drill) within its ranks nothing will change. Things have changed in the Uk beyond recognition since 1947 and the welfare system has failed to adjust to them..

but then we could say the same about eye tests, no? There will always be a need for audiology and ophtalmology departments for special difficult case to be referred to- surely? In this case, I must say I agree that opticians, but NOT just chains- can serve a real purpose in leaving specialists for difficult cases and cutting down costs DJ.

Here in Switzerland, opticians do NOT test for field vision or glaucoma, do not examine the fundus (back of the eye) properly- so in rural areas visits to an ophtalmologist in a hospital a long way away is necessary and so inconvenient- and dangerous too. My mum became blind because she didn't go as it was far too far and inconvenient. Had she been tested at the local opticians, she would not have become blind.

I don't like the way Specsavers seems to have been given first dibs at the hearing test market. I wouldn't go to them. The last time I had an eye test with them I had to go back four or five times before they got my prescription back.

I think I know where Hilda is coming from. But of course, it all comes down to money. Gransnet is a business and has to make a profit. As ga says, just enjoy the threads.

An opthtalmologist extremely long training and experience is wasted on the basic testing- and only need to be seen if there are complications found by opticians. Same for hearing tests- at a time of teal doctor shortages.

In France and here, children under 15 are systemically seen by a peadiatrician- even for a boil or cold- what a nonsensical waste.

However, it is wrong if the only business given a chance to do the testing is just Specsavers- totally! Any business who can show they have the qualified staff and equipment to do ti properly should be given a chance- not just one business. That needs to be examined asap- how that privileged link came about- dodgy.

They haven't taken over ENT here (MK) unless you choose them. DH got his first hearing aid from the ENT department of MKH, and we both use a local independent optometrists, a family business run by a good friend and her brother among other partners. So all that Specsavers advertising has gone straight over my head.
However if they help to foot the bill for the site, good luck to them.

Just Googled Audioloy tests and found the NHS direct site info.

Looks like you can do a basic test on line or even on the phone. Or for a longer test, you have 3 routes, your GP, the audiology dept at your hospital or a private audiologist (NOT just Specsavers). For us in the UK, much much easier to get it down at an optician or GP rather than travel all the way to the main town to go to the hospital.

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/hearing-problems/Pages/getting-your-hearing-tested.aspx

So that's all right then. What was all the fuss about?

I am a massive fan of the NHS and am seriously concerned about privatisation. And yet, for some things, like eye and audiology testing- with the current huge shortage on medical staff- specialists must be used for specialist and complicated cases, and not wasted on simple and basic testing. Makes sense, financially too. To save the NHS, UN-NECESSARY COSTS MUST BE GOT RID.