WATCH: Doncaster Audiology Services Debate

I held a debate in Parliament to raise the severity of Doncaster's audiology services.

Doncaster has a long and proud history of supporting those who are deaf and hard of hearing community, and we are home to the historic The Carr Fenton Foundation

However, those who need hearing aids and appointments have often been let down by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust in recent years. My debate raises the issues that they have faced.

Maggie Lockhart and Paul Stones created the Doncaster Audiology Action Group to help the thousands of people stuck on ever increasing audiology waiting lists. I have joined many meetings with the Audiology Action Group, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Health Trust, South Yorkshire ICB, Doncaster Public Health and Healthwatch.

Through my work with the Action Group, Healthwatch and Lee Pitcher MP, we pushed for an action day to help patients get basic hearing aids repairs and information about the service improvements.

I pay tribute to Maggie, Paul and the audiology staff for all their work in helping patients across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.

If you are affected by a delay in your hearing appointment, please contact my office if you live in my Doncaster Central constituency and I can raise your case with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Trust.

Without proper audiology care lives can be fundamentally changed.

Sadly this is the reality for many across Doncaster. Family and social events are missed, confidence in work drops, people feel isolated from their communities

I asked the Minister two points on Doncaster's audiology services:

First, will the Minister ensure that the NHS 10-year plan includes greater investment in training audiologists across the country, so that areas like Doncaster never again face such severe staff shortages?

Secondly, will the Minister carefully consider the recommendations of the Kingdon review, including the recommendation on the introduction of a single professional register for audiologists, improved governance for audiology services and reform of how children’s audiology services are delivered?

If you are affected by a delay in your hearing appointment - you are not alone. Please contact my office if you live in my Doncaster Central constituency and I can raise your case with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Trust. Sally.jameson.mp@parliament.uk