TRANSITION FROM PAEDIATRIC TO ADULT AUDIOLOGY SERVICES: A PILOT STUDY IN BATH

A. Reid, A. Dighe. Royal United Hospital NHS Trust, Bath, UK

During 2007, it was decided to run joint meetings with local representatives from RNID, NDCS, Social Services, Education and Health (Adult Audiology and Community Paediatrics). In addition, there was input from a Deaf Adult Link Worker. The purpose of the meetings was to respond to the NDCS document “Transition from Paediatric to Adult Audiology Services in England” in a positive manner and take forward the suggestions outlined in that document and to develop the concept of a “transition clinic”. The purpose of the clinic is to assist/coach the child through the process of transferring to the adult department over a period of time. At the clinic there would be a professional with the appropriate skills to enable the child to come to their own conclusions and make their own, informed decisions. A resource pack was developed at the meetings and makes use of materials from several agencies. We are currently trialling the resource pack at the newly introduced “transition clinics”. Early results will be reported.

IS “FAIR HEARING” (INTEGRATED CARE PATHWAY FOR GLUE EAR) WORKING?

T. Williamson. Child Health Department, Bath and North East Somerset PCT, Bath, UK

Aims: (1) To establish and introduce an integrated care pathway for glue ear, and (2) to monitor the effectiveness and impact of the pathway.

Methods: The Fair Hearing pathway was established in consultation with the numerous key stakeholders, including parents. The pathway was to address three major concerns: equity of access, informed choice for families and evidence-based interventions. An assessment of the impact of the pathway on service take-up is needed to plan for future provision. The pathway is monitored as follows:

1. Annual measures of the distribution of clinic attendees in terms of the deprivation index of their postcode.

2. Annual “focus groups” for families to feedback their …