14 August 2009
Babies can now receive their hearing tests closer to home
Parents of newborn babies who need follow up hearing tests for their little ones can now have these done closer to home.
The Trust’s newborn hearing screening team are now providing their service at two new community clinics in Chelmsford at South Woodham Ferrers Clinic and Moulsham Lodge and will soon be running a clinic at Springfield Green.
Carolyn Pursey, newborn hearing screening co-ordinator at Mid Essex hospitals, said:” All newborn babies are offered a hearing screening test. Previously if the baby needed to come back for a further check they had to go to St John’s hospital in Chelmsford, but to make it more convenient we have now set up the community clinics. It means we are able to provide our services in a community setting and closer to the patient’s home. The parents can choose the nearest clinic for them to attend.”
Hearing screening tests are also offered at the William Julien Courtauld Hospital in Braintree, St Peter's Hospital in Maldon and Spinks Lane Therapy Centre in Witham.
Katie Escott’s three week old baby, Freddie Jackson, was the first baby to have his follow up hearing test at a community clinic. Katie said:” I was really pleased to be told that Freddie could have his hearing test at the clinic just across the road. It made a lot of difference as I didn’t have to travel to St John’s hospital and park the car, I could just bring Freddie here. I was also very pleased with the service I got and am glad that they have confirmed that Freddie doesn’t have any hearing problems.”
The NHS Newborn Hearing Screening program ensures all parents are offered hearing screening for their new child within the first few weeks of life. A trained hearing screener carries out the hearing test on the baby which only takes a few minutes to complete.
ENDS
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