Boots Hearingcare to exit NHS AQP audiology contracts from April 2016

A spokesperson for Sonova – the majority stakeholder (51%) of Boots Hearingcare – told Audiology Worldnews: “Boots Hearingcare is committed to raising awareness of hearing loss and providing access to audiology services in the UK. Due to recent developments within the NHS audiology commissioning landscape, Boots Hearingcare has made the decision to no longer deliver AQP audiology services from April 2016. The exit from NHS services will be complete by April 2017, and delivering continuity of care for customers during the transition is our key priority. Boots Hearingcare will work with each individual CCG to help our customers find alternative aftercare provision locally. Audiologists who have been delivering NHS services within Boots Hearingcare will be redeployed into the retail business. Boots UK will also continue to offer retail audiology services in 485 locations nationally and will continue to signpost NHS services in Boots Hearingcare practices to promote patient choice.”

Boots Hearingcare are not the only private retailer to withdraw from NHS contracts. Cornwall-based Regional Hearing Specialists Ltd has confirmed that it will not renew any NHS contracts and will actually cease trading at the end of this month, according to a report in the Stoke Sentinel. An RHS spokesman said: “It is with regret the board has to inform patients, carers it will not seek to renew its contract providing adult hearing services on behalf of CCGs. Changes in selection criteria for NHS hearing aids, tariffs and priorities to CCG budgets have made it impossible for us to offer the same levels of care. As soon as we are clear about the transition process, we will communicate with patients.”

Health bosses in North Stafford have arranged for new providers to take over the service and are contacting patients to ask where they want to be seen in future. Marcus Warnes, North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s accountable officer, said: “We are working with RHS to ensure a smooth transition. We have already sourced alternative capacity at a range of locations. Patient pathways will not be disrupted.

Charities and healthcare watchdogs have condemned the action. Ian Syme, of North Staffordshire Healthwatch, told the Stoke Sentinel: “It shows how the policy of tendering out is in disarray. As a result, 5,000 people will be worried about how their care is re-provided.”