New audiology suite in Weymouth will help cut waiting times

People in west Dorset will benefit from improved NHS audiology services thanks to a brand-new facility in Weymouth.

The new base for Dorset HealthCare’s audiology team in the west of the county has opened in the Park Centre, next to Weymouth Community Hospital.

While some patients will still be able to attend clinics closer to home at sites in Bridport, Blandford, Sherborne and Dorchester, the new suite offers new, state-of-the art equipment to aid local diagnosis and treatment.

More advanced balance testing equipment enables the team to perform new tests which can aid diagnosis of problems such as dizziness and vertigo. There are also video screens for paediatric testing, giving more options when testing the hearing of young children.

In addition, the new audiology hub and its expanded team offer a significant increase in capacity, reducing waiting lists for patient appointments. The team will also provide placements for apprentices and students, helping to train a Dorset workforce for the future.

 Helen Williams, the Trust’s Dorset audiology/community ear nose and throat service manager, said:

“We are delighted to have opened up this new audiology facility next to Weymouth Hospital. The new capacity and staff resources will help us provide quicker appointments so we can diagnose and treat conditions faster.”

The audiology suite has opened as part of the NHS England’s Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) programme. In Weymouth this includes other new services and facilities such as a CT scanner, x-ray and ultrasound managed by Dorset County Hospital at the Weymouth Hospital site.

Dorset HealthCare’s capital planning team led on the design, refurbishment and installation of the new audiology hub, as well as the installation of the CT scanner and suite.

For more information about Dorset’s audiology service.