Concerns over access to hearing services in Wales

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

CONCERNS have been raised about access to hearing services, with statistics showing the number of people on waiting lists for a hearing aid has ballooned by 150% in three years.

Janet Finch-Saunders told the Senedd that 527,100 adults – 17% of Wales’ population – have a degree of hearing loss that would benefit from treatment such as hearing aids.

She said that 4,000 people were waiting for a hearing aid appointment three years ago but by September 2023 that number had reached nearly 10,000.

Highlighting that Wales has the highest proportion of over-65s of any UK nation, she told the chamber it is imperative to develop the best hearing services possible.

She explained that incidence increases by about 1% per year of age, so 80% of 80-year-olds and 90% of 90-year-olds will have hearing loss.

The Aberconwy MS raised concerns about a “postcode lottery” in terms of waiting times.

She said only one patient waited longer than 14 weeks in Swansea, 583 in Hywel Dda and a staggering 1,674 in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.

Ms Finch-Saunders pointed out there is also an inconsistent spread of audiologists employed by health boards with five in Powys and 65 in Betsi Cadwaladr.

Calling for greater collaboration with independent providers such as Boots and Specsavers, she argued it would help health boards add capacity and improve access.

She said the model, which is in use in England and Ireland, has provided services at a third of the per-patient cost compared to hospital services.

Ms Finch-Saunders highlighted that the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) found that 26% of families were dissatisfied with waiting times for paediatric audiology.

She told MSs: “Health needs to work with education, which has seen a 17% reduction in teachers of the deaf in Wales since 2011.”

Ms Finch-Saunders added that NDCS has found that some children are being denied individual development plans under Wales’ new additional learning needs system.

She warned: “Hearing loss cuts people off from each other. This can increase the risk of social isolation, cognitive decline and other mental issues.

“And I’m given to understand that it can actually bring on early dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Too often, deaf people who simply cannot hear quite often feel that they are referred to as ‘daft’ people – and that’s the stigma that we’ve got to get rid of.”

Mark Isherwood, who lost his hearing as a younger person, urged ministers to recognise that demand for audiology services is only going to increase.

He echoed calls for the NHS to work with community audiology service providers.

Natasha Asghar, a fellow Conservative, who represents South Wales East, highlighted a Senedd event on adult age-related hearing loss that she sponsored on Tuesday.

Joel James, who spoke about his own experiences of hearing loss at the event, said hearing impairment is linked to cognitive decline but when aids are fitted, it ceases immediately.

He said: “If we look at child development, we know of social isolation, the impact in terms of speech and language, and then also the social skills that can be impaired.

“And then if we look at when we become adults, in terms of the working environment, there are 4.4 million in the entire UK that have hearing difficulties.

“Many of them feel that they’re being discriminated against in the working environment.”

Russell George, the Conservatives’ shadow health minister, emphasised the need for early intervention and diagnosis, saying it can bring a saving down the line.

Responding to the short debate on February 7, Eluned Morgan recognised that hearing loss can be devastating at any age and can leave people feeling isolated.

The health minister said audiology services are delivered differently from the rest of the UK, arguing there is a stronger emphasis on primary and community care than elsewhere.

Baroness Morgan said she does not have any principled objection to exploring private sector options but the Welsh Government will prioritise public sector provision.

“If they can’t do it, then, obviously, let’s look at alternatives,” she told the chamber.

“But I would like to give this a fair wind, and I guess the health boards are on notice that they’ve got to deliver on what we’re asking them to deliver.”

She added: “Let’s stick to the plan, and, if they don’t deliver, then there’ll be ructions.”

Haverfordwest man spared jail after two assaults on woman

Published

44 seconds ago

March 25, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

38-year-old given “final chance” despite probation warning of high risk of harm

A HAVERFORDWEST man has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after admitting assaulting a woman twice within a month.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that the first assault took place on Tuesday (Jan 28), when Paul Webber, 38, struck the victim to the face. A month later, he carried out a second assault in the town centre, again targeting her face.

“The first was a knock to her face, and the second was a forceful slap, again to her face, both resulting in facial marks,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

A victim statement read to the court described the impact of the abuse.

“Our relationship was becoming really hard, due to the violence and control he had over me,” she said.

“I’m relieved that I’m in a much safer environment, without being afraid of repercussions as I was before.”

She asked magistrates to impose a restraining order preventing further contact.

“I want to feel safe, knowing that he can’t approach me and subject me to further physical or verbal abuse,” she added.

Webber, of Glebe House, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating and a third charge of possessing a Class A drug, namely 1.7 grams of crack cocaine, which was discovered during his arrest on Thursday (Feb 27).

A pre-sentence report recommended immediate custody, but this was challenged by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

“If he goes back to prison, he’ll come straight out and re-offend,” he said.

“He needs to work with probation to try and sort these issues out because without doing that, we’ll continue going round and round.

“His triggers are consistent and predictable, which means they are much easier to deal with.

“Paul Webber clearly needs help, and his response to supervision has previously been good. There are many things which could be beneficial to him and I find it very odd that probation’s conclusion doesn’t tie in with all the other factors.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said Webber had already received extensive support.

“He’s been constantly supervised by probation over the last four years after every term of imprisonment, when we’ve worked with him to address his offending behaviour,” she said.

“But even though he attended, we question what he’s learnt from the intervention after committing an offence of this nature so soon after.

“In our opinion he remains a very high risk of harm to the victim.”

After lengthy consideration, magistrates opted to give Webber a final opportunity in the community.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, during which he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, including anger management and substance misuse work.

A three-year restraining order was imposed, preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, entering any premises occupied by her, or accessing or sharing any information about her online.

Webber was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, along with £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was made in relation to the crack cocaine.

Crime

Hakin motorist banned after drink-drive crash

Published

3 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

38-year-old overturned car after losing control and hitting parked vehicle

A HAKIN motorist has been disqualified from driving after crashing his vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that just before 7:00pm on Thursday (Jan 9), police received reports of a road traffic collision at Lower Hill Street, Hakin.

“The driver had lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car, resulting in his own vehicle ending up on its side,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

When officers arrived, they spoke to Lee Macdonald, 38, who admitted he had been driving the overturned vehicle. He also confirmed he had consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel.

A subsequent blood test showed Macdonald had 114 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Macdonald, of Acorn Cottage, Lower Hill Street, Hakin, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing him, Jess Hill told magistrates he had no previous convictions.

“At the time of the offence he was having troubles with his relationship, and his alcohol consumption increased as a result,” she said.

“This affected his judgement and his decision making, and gave him the false confidence to get behind the wheel, which is something he regrets immensely. He realises the consequences could have been much more serious.”

Macdonald was disqualified from driving for 14 months. He was fined £125 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man spared jail after arriving at police station with knife

Published

5 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

43-year-old asked officer for help while holding weapon and later admitted criminal damage

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who arrived at a police station carrying a sharply pointed knife has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that just after 6:30am on Tuesday (Mar 4), an on-duty officer at Pembroke Dock police station heard a knock on the main door.

“When he opened it he saw Sam Wilkins who asked the officer to help him,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“He was holding a black-handled knife in his hand, and he appeared agitated.”

The court was told that when Wilkins, 43, was asked to step back and drop the knife, he complied.

Wilkins, of Bethel Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and to a second charge of criminal damage.

Magistrates heard that on Sunday (Mar 2), police received a report of a man attempting to gain entry to a property in Pembroke Dock.

“The inhabitant knew the defendant to say hello to, but he’d turned up at her property early that morning, banging on the door and causing a window to crack,” said Nia James.

The cost of the damage was estimated at around £200.

Both offences were committed while Wilkins was subject to a community order for breaching a restraining order.

Despite the seriousness of the case, probation officer Julie Norman urged magistrates to impose a suspended sentence, stating that Wilkins was willing to engage with support services.

This was supported by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

Wilkins was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must complete a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation, £170 prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.