Rotherham ear care team wins care excellence award

AN EAR care service for over-55s has won a national award for its innovative approach.
Jenny Middleton, editor of the Nursing Times; Vanessa Hague, healthcare assistant; Mandy Platts, deputy head of service; Carole Traunter, business manager; Linda Mills, head of service; Professor Jean White CBE, chief nursing officer for the Welsh Government.Jenny Middleton, editor of the Nursing Times; Vanessa Hague, healthcare assistant; Mandy Platts, deputy head of service; Carole Traunter, business manager; Linda Mills, head of service; Professor Jean White CBE, chief nursing officer for the Welsh Government.
Jenny Middleton, editor of the Nursing Times; Vanessa Hague, healthcare assistant; Mandy Platts, deputy head of service; Carole Traunter, business manager; Linda Mills, head of service; Professor Jean White CBE, chief nursing officer for the Welsh Government.

The Ear Care and Audiology Service won the Care of Older People category at the Nursing Times Awards, held in London on Thursday.

The service, part of Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, combined two teams to offer an ear and hearing service at Rotherham Community Health Centre.

Previously, patients might have to wait six months and attend several appointments before receiving a hearing aid.

Now, a one-stop-shop approach means most patients get their hearing aid on the same day as their first appointment.

Judges praised the range of training offered by the team to nurses, doctors and audiologists from around the country, with the proceeds reinvested in NHS services.

Linda Mills, who heads up the team, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award.

“We have an amazing, multi-disciplinary team who work extremely hard to provide our patients with a high quality service.”

She added: “Our patients think it is great that they can see the right healthcare professional and potentially go home with a hearing aid on the same day.”

Visit www.earcarecentre.com to find out more about the service, or the training courses it delivers.