MP calls for hearing tests to be made available at Melksham Hospital
Brian Mathew says patients might be missing out on care because they have to travel to Bath's Royal United Hospitals
Wiltshire MP Dr Brian Mathew says he wants NHS hearing tests to be made available at Melksham Hospital.
The Melksham and Devizes representative says patients might not be getting the treatment they need because they're being sent to Bath's Royal United Hospitals (RUH).
He said long travel times, poor public transport links and undue stress is caused by travelling to the RUH.
The Lib Dem is calling for community audiology to be added to Melksham Hospital's service, something made available by 14 Integrated Care Boards (ICB) in England, but not by the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon & Wiltshire ICB - which covers Melksham.
Dr Mathew says he's handled more than 300 cases related to health in the last year, with patients telling him of year-long waits for audiology appointments at the RUH.
The ICB confirmed that its new contract with HCRG Care Group, who deliver many services at Melksham Hospital, includes the development of a community audiology pathway and agreed to examine how this could be provided in Melksham. Dr Mathew says this needs to be made a priority, to ensure patients no longer need to make the journey to Bath.
Following a meeting last week (14/11), which included representatives from Melksham Town Council, Wiltshire Council, NHS Property Services and the ICB's Chief Nursing Officer, among others, Dr Mathew said: “This strategic meeting was vital to bring together all the interested parties including the Friends of Melksham Hospital.
"Patients in Melksham face frequent time-consuming trips to the RUH in Bath or the Great Western in Swindon. Public transport outside of core hours is far too patchy for people in Melksham to rely on – we need to see improved and expanded services in the town. Bringing NHS audiology to Melksham would be a welcome start.”