History Of The Department
The department serves a population of approximately 300,000 across North and Mid Wales. The base site is at the Maelor Hospital, Wrexham where a comprehensive range of district level services are offered. Additionally, basic ENT clinic support and basic rehabilitation are provided at 7 peripheral sites across the area served (including Welshpool, Newtown and Llanidloes). Children’s Hearing Services are offered at the Wrexham Child Health centre (on the Maelor campus) and various other clinics in North East Wales.
The staff establishment has steadily increased in recent years to accommodate service developments and increased workload. The service is led by a Consultant Clinical Scientist, and our establishment also includes a Consultant Paediatrician (Audiology), 11 Audiologists, 6 Audiological Scientist post, 3 Assistant Audiologists and dedicated clerical support.
The main department at Wrexham was purpose built in 1997 and includes 4 sound proof rooms (one with observation room), dedicated rehabilitation rooms and offices. An extension to the department was completed in April 2003. This provides additional office space and increased the number of rehabilitation rooms to 7. As a result of this expansion, all professional clinical staff have their own dedicated desk space and networked pc. A full range of modern test equipment is available and a networked information system links all rooms.
The service has received significant additional investment recently, including that received as part of the Modernising Audiology Services in Wales (MASW) Project. Facilities at all outside clinics have been improved to the same standard as the main base and clinical staff have undergone training to fit new technology (fully digital) hearing aids. The trust also operates the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Service (BAHA) for North Wales. North East Wales was also one of the first two sites to introduce universal newborn hearing screening within Wales.
The Trust has an excellent record of supporting Audiology staff in their continuing professional development. This has included funding for MSc courses and numerous internal and external courses to maintain the effectiveness of the staff and the service.
The service has an established record of published research including joint projects with the University of Manchester in the area of paediatric assessment. Members of staff are prominent at a national level in the field of Audiology and their expertise has been drawn on by those improving services elsewhere and through contributions to national projects.
In summary, the North East Wales Audiology Service been at the forefront of developments in Audiology in Wales. Further developments will continue that trend. As a work place we offer an environment that is attractive, knowledgeable staff and management supportive of professional development.