Slow progress in hearing care: Open letter to Jenni Minto MSP
- Area of Work: Policy and Research, Scottish Sensory Hub
- Type: News Item
- Published: 25th August 2025
Two years after the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, the ALLIANCE asks: Where are we?
Along with the National Deaf Children’s Society, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, and the British Academy of Audiology, the ALLIANCE has signed an open letter to Jenni Minto MSP, raising concerns about audiology services in Scotland.
Today marks two years since the publication of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland (IRASS), which identified “multiple systemic problems” in the provision of hearing services across NHS Scotland. Yet despite this hard-hitting report, which demanded urgent action from the Scottish Government, many children and adults are still missing out on the support they so urgently need.
Most of us will experience deafness in our lives. Access to accurate and prompt audiology services is critical to good outcomes – particularly for young children, where delays or inaccuracies in testing can have lifelong impacts.
While the Scottish Government committed to implementing all the Independent Review’s recommendations, progress has been slow, and external input from the third sector and people with lived experience side-lined.
Pockets of good practice do exist. NHS Tayside Audiology service has taken proactive action to considerably reduce its waiting times for routine adult appointments. It has also become the first audiology service in Scotland to achieve national accreditation on improving quality standards. All Health Boards across Scotland must be supported by the Scottish Government to provide the high-quality service that audiology staff want to deliver.
We believe that the Scottish Government must equip audiology services with the resources, workforce, and leadership necessary to deliver the best possible outcomes for deaf children and adults.
We are calling for action in three key areas:
- Evidence of independent safety checks: Services must be held to high standards, with independent experts involved in reviewing staff competency and service performance.
- Clear accountability for workforce planning: The Scottish Government must ensure a sustainable pipeline for Scotland’s audiology workforce. This should include the reinstatement of an
undergraduate university course to train new audiologists. - Transparent reporting: Routine and transparent reporting of audiology referral to treatment waiting times for Health Boards must be introduced, alongside clear targets for improvement.
Without more ambitious and decisive action from the Scottish Government, however, we fear that the current system will continue to fall short.
When every moment counts, it is time for action – not words.
End of page.
You may also like:
Young people’s feedback will help NHS 24 better understand needs and improve support services.
Continue readingALLIANCE input and lived experience evidence help shape stronger, person-centred and trauma-informed maternity care
Continue readingSupporting stronger information rights, while warning delivery must work for an already stretched sector
Continue readingA new resource by Adaptation Scotland to help social care professionals integrate climate adaptation into care planning and delivery.
Continue readingRead more about the ALLIANCE response to the report on the impact of COVID-19 on the health and social care sector in Scotland.
Continue readingUp to £20 million to be delivered via Independent Living Fund to help people live in their communities
Continue readingRefined plans focus on practical measure to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.
Continue readingMarie Curie has published new analysis showing that almost one in three people in Scotland die without the palliative care they need.
Continue readingShare your views before 19 February
Continue readingReform of the council tax system is long overdue, with the current system negatively impacting funding for services including social care.
Continue readingFirst monitoring report shows improvements in wellbeing and services alongside ongoing gaps in data and unequal outcomes
Continue readingProgress in many areas is welcome, but the budget must go further on social care, mental health and third sector support.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue readingCommission raises concerns over the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland
Continue readingNew online platform invites individuals and communities to shape Scotland’s path to net zero
Continue readingA survey of ALLIANCE third sector members found a worsening financial crisis arising from a range of pressures.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a briefing for the Scottish Parliament debate on BSL, taking place on 11 December 2025.
Continue readingScottish Government outline actions in response to economic, social and cultural rights observations
The plan comes in response to the Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights earlier this year.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE urges stronger social care integration, a clearer prevention focus and digital inclusion at the heart of NHS Delivery proposals
Continue readingNearly half of unpaid carers cut back on essentials as financial and health pressures intensify
Continue readingNew report warns thousands spending their final months in financial hardship and fuel poverty
Continue readingIndependent expert panel review recommends major changes to align abortion law with modern clinical practice
Continue readingALLIANCE and Engender call for an intersectional and rights-based approach to underpin a national investigation into maternity services.
Continue readingThe response welcomes ambition of draft standards but identifies key gaps in inclusion and communication
Continue reading