Outcry follows survey suggesting high street upselling to NHS audiology patients

Condemnation of the prohibited practice of upselling to NHS patients has followed the publication of a limited survey by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) in which 23% of respondents claim they were informed about private hearing aids during appointments with high street providers. The practice of upselling is in direct violation of NHS National Guidance that prohibits discussing or promoting private options during NHS consultations. In a statement condemning the practice, the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) called the survey percentage "disheartening", and alleges it aligns with anecdotal evidence it has received. "Although the full extent of this unethical behaviour remains unclear, BAA highlights the lack of mechanisms to detect and prevent it," reads the statement. And the Academy advises against expanding private provision of NHS services - proposals for which are currently under discussion at NHS management and government levels - without...