Hearing Services at Specsavers
Hearing Services at Specsavers
Did you know that Specsavers can look after ears as well as eyes?
As a qualified hearcare provider, Specsavers clinicians can offer a range of hearing services nationally including assessment and fitting of hearing aids (private and NHS provision), wax removal and a range of accessories, advice and support.*
As a community audiology provider, we set ourselves exceptionally high standards of clinical practice and customer service which is supported by our customer satisfaction figures.
Our services are offered from our high street locations, many of which offer a seven-day a week service provision, allowing choice and convenience to our customers and patients nationally.
Specsavers and the NHS
We are committed to offering exceptionally high standards of quality, clinical expertise and care to all our customers and patients.
As a community audiology provider, we have been offering NHS services since 2006. We are currently commissioned to provide NHS services to more than 115 CCGs and see more than 145,000 new NHS patients a year.
Specsavers is committed to delivering a service based on NHS core principles, providing care that is free at the point of delivery and based on clinical need, not the ability to pay.
As of 2017, we have been accredited by the NHS to provide adult hearing care and hearing aids under 28 contracts across England.
‘The NHS scheme has the potential to deliver substantial benefits to patients and healthcare professionals. From the patient’s perspective, being able to access a free, high-quality service on the high street, delivered in conjunction with the NHS, is very appealing, as it enhances both choice and convenience – for example, locality, opening times and the availability of appointments.’
Dr Nicholas Summerton - GP and RCGP clinical commissioning champion
Specsavers offers a high standard of clinical expertise and flexibility of service to its customers:
Appointments at flexible times
A maximum 16-day referral-to-treatment service
Referral process through the established e-referral system and two-way DBS making it easier for GPs to see availability
Accessible service on the high street, seven days a week and close to home
Replacement hearing aid batteries available locally – and, uniquely, a batteries-by-post delivery service
Feedback provided to GPs following consultation, and recommendations for further treatment/investigation as necessary
Our stores have extended opening hours that offer after-care support, including drop-in clinics for routine repairs such as hearing aid cleaning and new batteries
From April 2018 through to November 2018, 97,616 patients completed a pathway with us. Of these patients, 48% completed a patient satisfaction survey. 99.87% of patients reported being satisfied with the service they received from Specsavers.
Patient resources
The following may be of use to your patients in understanding their hearing loss:
At Specsavers we understand the importance of the GPs and practice staff in ensuring that patients are seen at the right place at the right time and by the appropriately trained staff. If you would like any further information from us around how to refer, referable conditions or the patients journey with us then please contact NHS_audiology@specsavers.com.
If requested, we can visit the practice to come and talk to GPs and practice staff about NHS Audiology and the benefits of a community service. We can also arrange for you to visit one of our locations to sit in and observe an assessment/fit and video otoscopy.
Please use the email address provided for any queries on the above.
Referral Options:
- NHS e-referral
- Patients can book online (for private tests only) or on the phone
- Direct booking into a Specsavers store diary from your practice
- In some areas we have self-referral. If you are unsure as to whether this is applicable in your area, then please contact us for more details
Benefits of e-Referral:
- Better use of available services
- Better access to information and services
- Improved patient journey and experience
- Cost base for assessment and referral to care much reduced
- Referral to the most appropriate local service in the area
Wax removal
Specsavers also provides a wax removal service. The favoured method of wax removal is now micro suction which previously was only carried out in a hospital ENT department. Many CCGs are considering offering wax removal as a commissionable service in the community so it may be worth checking to see what is available in your local area. Specsavers offers micro suction as a private service in their high street stores.
In terms of referring patients for earwax removal, if you have a clear view of the tympanic membrane and any wax is minimal and light in colour, then there is usually no need to refer. For ear canals that are more than 50% full of wax and particularly if it is dark in colour, a referral for removal is probably appropriate.
*Availability to NHS and wax removal may not be available in all areas. Please check using the postcode search facility.
Specsavers supports Dementia Friends
Specsavers employees nationwide are becoming Dementia Friends, an initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society. Every store now has at least one team member who is a Dementia Friend and understands the needs of customers with dementia a little more.
Dr Nigel Best, Specsavers clinical spokesperson, says: ‘People with dementia may not be able to recognise or articulate the issues that many of us face when we begin to lose our sight or hearing – but the effects are the same. Being more aware of dementia is an incredibly positive development for our teams and our offering to customers.’