THE audiology service for patients in the Okehampton area will be transferred to the control of Mid Devon Primary Care Trust on April 1 ? but will stay in its long established base at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Wonford.
The organisational change will streamline decision making because the trust is already responsible for funding the audiology service, which tests hearing, said Jonathan Parsons, who heads the service.
Around 30,000 patients use the audiology service, which last year recruited three more audiologists as part of the drive to see patients more quickly, particularly with the growing demand for improved digital hearing aids.
The service also visits eleven localities, including Okehampton Community Hospital. The audiology service employs a combined staff of 33, including 15 qualified audiologists and two hearing therapists.
Lesley Dunaway, chief executive of Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, welcomed the transfer of the service. She said: ?Audiology is important and we have been investing more resources into the service, particularly with the recruitment of additional specialist staff.
?We have been responsible for funding the service, which has been provided on a day-to-day basis by our colleagues at the Royal Devon and Exeter, and it does make much more sense for us to take on the management of the service as well.
?In reality though, apart from the organisational change, it will be business as usual for audiology in the local area,? added Mrs Dunaway.