Audiology – United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Addressing Audiology Backlogs at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

The Challenge

United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) faced a critical backlog of 3,225 patients requiring Audiology support within its ENT service, highlighting the urgent need for additional capacity. As one of England’s largest acute hospital trusts, serving over 720,000 people, ULTH’s overall waiting list had risen to 71,955 patients by August 2024, with ENT accounting for the largest share at 10,319 cases. Among patients waiting over 52 weeks, ENT and Audiology made up over 40%, reflecting the severe pressures on these services and the urgent necessity for intervention to reduce delays and improve care access. Source

Our Solution

Clinically Led and Expert Clinical Support
DMC Healthcare delivered a fully managed, standalone audiology service within the ENT departments of United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, staffed by highly skilled audiology professionals. Our clinically led team ensured expert guidance and exceptional patient care at every stage.

Partnership-Driven Approach
We collaborate closely with NHS Trusts and ICBs, aligning our services with their goals to build long-term, results-focused partnerships. In this case, our strong partnership with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust allowed us to swiftly tailor our audiology services to meet their urgent needs. By seamlessly integrating into their ENT departments, we provided continuous care from referral to discharge, improving patient outcomes and strengthening overall satisfaction.

Quick Mobilisation Tailored to the Trust’s Needs
Within just two weeks of contract award, DMC Healthcare successfully mobilised the audiology service, demonstrating our ability to implement solutions rapidly and effectively. Our approach ensures that every aspect of the service launch is thoroughly planned and executed, with continuous communication and collaboration to guarantee smooth and effective service delivery.

“Mobilising this insourced audiology clinic in just two weeks really shows the dedication and skill of our team at DMC Healthcare. We worked closely with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to get everything up and running quickly and smoothly, ensuring we could meet the growing need for audiology care. This achievement highlights our ability to deliver fast, reliable healthcare solutions without compromising on quality or patient care.”

Chris Saunders, Head of Operations, DMC Healthcare

Achieved Results

✅ 1,924 Patients Treated to Date

✅ DNA Rates Reduced from 20% to 7% as of the Most Recent Clinic

✅ 92% Average Booking Utilisation

✅ 85% Average Clinic Utilisation

✅ Rapid Mobilisation Achieved within 2 Weeks

✅ 73% of Patients Booked for the First Weekend Following Referral

✅ No Complaints Received

✅ No Reported Incidents

Excellent Patient Feedback

93% of patients would highly recommend our services
92% of patients expressed high satisfaction with our services
95% of patients had full trust in our audiology team

  • “As soon as I checked in, I was taken for my tests. The staff were lovely, explained everything to me, and made me feel at ease.“

  • “I was seen promptly. The audiologist was very polite, explained everything clearly, and made sure I was comfortable with each test. 10/10, top quality.“

  • “The audiologist was an absolute pro. He put my son at ease, explained the process, and had a very reassuring presence.“

  • “Exceptionally quick appointment.“

  • “Everything was explained at my appointment. The staff were more than helpful, and I was seen on time.“

  • “Everyone was very polite, kept me informed about what was going to happen, and appeared very competent in their work.“

  • “Everything was first class. My experience was very good, and I felt at ease the entire time.“

  • “The audiologist was amazing with my son, making him feel safe. He explained everything and wished us a happy Christmas. Lovely.“

  • “Very kind, friendly, and understanding, with a good explanation.“

Testimonial

Working with DMC Healthcare has been a positive experience so far. They are communicative and from the very first discussions to mobilisation, it has been a frictionless process with any concerns rapidly addressed.
Head of Contracting, United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

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