Quality Standards
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Quality Standards
Audiology Quality Standards in Wales have been developed to ensure they align to the quality dimensions defined within Duty of Quality, covering safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and person- centred care.
The approach to Audiology Quality Standards development and implementation is described in the Quality Standards in Audiology document.
Audit against these standards, using the latest quality audit tools (see Quality Standards audit tools section below), is mandated by the Welsh Government (WG) National Clinical Audit and Outcome Review Plan (NCAORP) as a Tier 1 audit. The external audit against national standards will follow the agreed process (link to process document, not yet published and approved) and be overseen by the Audiology Specialist Standing Advisory Group (ASSAG). The process includes the development of local improvement plans and a national report identifying themes and opportunities for collaboration.
Quality Standards Audit tools
Wales Audiology Quality standards for Adult Rehabilitation, Children's Hearing, Tinnitus, Balance (vestibular) and Auditory Implant services have been developed in conjunction with Scotland and Northern Ireland and can be viewed below. These are the latest approved audit tools for Wales:
Adult Rehabilitation Quality Standards
Children's Hearing Services Quality Standards
Adult Tinnitus Services Quality Standards
Vestibular Services Quality Standards
Implantable Devices Quality Standards
National Audit Reports
The most recent National Audit reports of Wales Quality Standards audits are approved by the Audiology Standing Specialist Advisory Group (ASSAG) and the Welsh Scientific Advisory Group (WSAC). The approved reports can be viewed below:
Quality Standards for Adult Rehabilitation Services Report 2022
Quality Standards for Children's services Report 2021
Quality Standards for Tinnitus Services Report 2024
Quality Standards for Vestibular Services Report 2024
Auditory implantable devices QS audits have been conducted as a self-audit by each service and presented to ASSAG in preparation for the national external audit cycle of 2026/27.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board is responsible for NHS services in:
Blaenau Gwent
Caerphilly
Monmouthshire
Newport
Torfaen
Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Website.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is responsible for NHS services in:
Anglesey
Gwynedd
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Wrexham
Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Website.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is responsible for NHS services in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Website.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is responsible for NHS services in:
Bridgend
Merthyr Tydfil
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board website.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for NHS services in:
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Pembrokeshire
Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Hywel Dda University Health Board Website.
Powys Teaching Health Board is responsible for NHS services in Powys. Further information about the NHS Audiology services in this area can be found on the Powys Teaching Health Board Website.
Swansea Bay University Health Board is responsible for NHS services in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, as well as some specialist regional services. Further information about the NHS Audiology services in these areas can be found on the Swansea Bay University Health Board Website.