How deaf children were condemned to world of silence by NHS failures

A LITANY of failings have had ‘life-changing consequences’ for children with hearing difficulties in Scotland, a report has found.

The review of audiology services at NHS Lothian revealed errors in diagnosis and care.

Repeated mistakes led to children being identified as deaf years later than they should have been.

For six children a diagnosis of hearing loss was missed and in another six cases it was delayed, with long-term consequences that mean they will require specialist support.

Delayed diagnosis of hearing loss in a further 48 children is also likely to have resulted in some harm, the report found.

The independent review of NHS Lothian’s paediatric audiology service was carried out by the British Academy of Audiology after concerns were raised about the diagnosis and care of a child with hearing difficulties.

It examined the health board’s audiology caseload of 22,900 children from 2009-2018.

A sample of 1,007 cases found there were concerns about assessment and care in 887 of them – 88 per cent. Of those, 155 had ‘significant concerns’.

The average age of children identified as deaf in NHS Lothian was four-and-a-half years compared with 109 days in England.

Early identification of hearing loss or impairment is important because the earlier it is picked up, the more successfully it can be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Yesterday ministers moved NHS Lothian to level three of its NHS Board Performance Escalation Framework, which means the Scottish Government is now directly supporting board management.

However, in the wake of the report’s damning findings, charities want a sweeping review of Scotland’s child audiology services.

Susan Daniels, chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: ‘The horrendous findings in this report represent a real-life nightmare for the families involved.

‘They placed their trust in a service that was supposed to help, only to be completely let down. Some will be left with life-changing consequences, while many others across Scotland will now be facing the very

‘A real-life nightmare’

real fear that the same thing could happen to them.

‘Early identification and the right care are vital in helping deaf children develop language and communication at a crucial age, so this must never be allowed to happen again – this means we need urgent action from the Scottish Government, starting with a thorough review of children’s audiology services across the country.’

In response to the report, Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director for NHS Lothian, said: ‘We are very sorry and saddened to learn that there are some children whose conditions were not diagnosed correctly, or as early as possible, as a result of testing that was not up to standard. We have already written to the most severely affected families individually to offer support and a face-to-face meeting to discuss their child’s condition.

‘We have also arranged appointments for those children whom the review recommends should be tested again.

‘In addition, measures have been put in place to identify young children currently in the system whose cases may require clinical review. If any concerns are found, the families will be contacted immediately.’

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said he was ‘deeply disappointed at the unacceptable failures this report has highlighted’.

Mr Yousaf added: ‘The service provided to children affected and their families was simply not good enough. I expect the Board to enact the recommendations as a matter of urgency.

‘To those families who have been affected by this I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies along with a promise that robust action will be taken.’

A helpline for concerned families has been set up on 0131 465 5457.