To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to improve access to audiology services. (S6O-04002)

Audiology is considered to be a clinical priority area, and improvement work is now being progressed through the national planning and delivery board arrangements, led by the chief operating officer of NHS Scotland. I wrote to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 23 September to outline that work, and committed to writing to the committee again in January 2025 with a further update on progress.

The minister will know that it is cost effective to provide hearing-loss services for adults in the community, rather than in hospitals, and that primary care and high street audiologists are expert clinicians who can improve access to care in communities throughout Scotland and can timeously address hearing loss at the right time to reduce associated loneliness and isolation. Does the minister agree that we could benefit from approaching hearing loss in Scotland in the same way as we approach eye tests in the community—as set out in Specsavers’ recent “It’s Time To Talk About Hearing” report—to improve patient experience and relieve pressures on valuable national health service resources?

Having visited a glaucoma service on the high street, I recognise the benefits of such services to patients, as Elena Whitham outlined. We remain committed to our vision for an integrated community-based hearing service in Scotland. In considering the future direction for the sector, it is right that we move forward in step with the work of the independent review on audiology. That, together with the wider financial and strategic context in which we are currently operating, has necessitated the rephasing of our commitment on community hearing services. However, we continue to work with NHS, third sector and private providers to identify appropriate models for community care for any future service reform, and we are ensuring that those with lived experience inform that work.

People in South Scotland continue to report to me that, a year after an independent review highlighted multiple systemic problems with NHS audiology services, they are still being left to navigate a bureaucratic maze just to get a proper diagnosis. Will the minister commit to dealing urgently with that bureaucratic maze?

I recognise the urgency that is required, which is why I am very pleased that the chief operating officer of NHS Scotland is leading the work with the task and finish group. I get regular updates on progress, as do members of that group and third sector organisations.