Redesign of Adult Audiology Services at the Royal Liverpool Hospital Presented By Neil Turner Audiology Services Manager
Overview Based in The Royal Liverpool Hospital Serve a catchment area of 350,000 15,000 patients per year Only one Satellite Clinic Began fitting Digital Hearing aids in 2003
Staffing 6 Full time Audiologists 3 Part time Audiologists 1 Hearing Therapist 2 Assistant Audiology Practitioners 3 A&C
The Problem Waiting list prior to modernisation Over 1250 patients awaiting HA assessment or fitting by end of 2005 = 104 weeks Reduced by 50% by end of 2006 Mid 2007 = end of 2005 Patient Council
The Plan of Action 18 weeks made simple 6 weeks by the end of March weeks by the end of 2008 Make it sustainable
Working Differently
Audiology room capacity -4 long days -9 day rota Appropriate appointment allocation Group hearing aid instruction appointments Patient assessed and fitted with a hearing aid on the same day Overtime in the evenings and weekends Planning Patient journey in logical order
The Result By the 31st March 2008 the 6 week target had been met Patients given an appointment to have their hearing aid fitted within the remaining 12 week slot available to us Regular group instruction appointments because patient feedback has been so positive At no time was the quality of the service offered to the patients compromised or their dignity disrespected A monthly progress report sent out to all the staff
The patient council kept informed via regular meetings The reduction in waiting times has allowed for regular staff meetings and training sessions. Staff are eager to pursue self development and are encouraged to take on specific projects that will help to continue to improve the Audiology service that this Trust provides. Closer links with Manchester University as staff can now coordinate and mentor BSc and MSc Audiology students as they come into the profession Reduction in DNA’s Working more closely with the Merseyside Society for Deaf People Decrease in complaints Team of the Year Finalist 2008
The Impact Expansion of the Service
Staffing Review skill mix at every opportunity Good working relationship with ENT Wax removal on same day Set up Audiology Bank in the Trust Appointed times for ENT PTA’s
Expansion Hearing aid help group Group Tinnitus information sessions Adults with learning difficulties clinics Advanced Diagnostic clinics
Summary Why we succeeded!!
Audiologists A&CPatient Council
The Philosophy Tell me and I may forget Show me and I may remember Involve me and I will understand
Thank You For Listening