Evaluation of Child Hearing Services by Kingdon
The Secretary of State, Wes Streeting, has commissioned an independent review into children's hearing services (paediatric audiology) in England, chaired by Dr Camilla Kingdon. The review, launched in April 2025, aims to address issues related to children's hearing services and propose solutions to improve their quality and accessibility (1, 2).
The call for evidence, an essential part of the review process, seeks the views of individuals with first-hand experience of children's hearing services in England, as well as professionals and organisations who work in or with these services. The review team encourages submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, parents, children, and organisations involved in providing or utilizing these services (3, 4, 5).
The review will identify lessons learned from past service failures in children's hearing services and propose ways to improve NHS England's handling of future service failures in similar services. It will also examine the oversight arrangements between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, considering how they could be improved (6, 7).
Dr. Kingdon's independent review is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current state of children's hearing services in England. The findings and recommendations of the review will be made public after its completion (8).
For those who prefer to submit their response in British Sign Language using video format, the review team can provide further advice on the submission process. To find more information about the call for evidence and submission process, visit the official website and look for the email address provided (9).
This review is a significant step towards improving the quality and accessibility of children's hearing services in England, ensuring that children with hearing difficulties receive the best possible care. The public, professionals, and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their views and experiences as part of this important review process.
- The review process invites healthcare professionals, parents, children, and mental health organizations to contribute their insights, as the investigation aims to explore potential improvements in therapies and treatments for children's health-and-wellness, including mental health and hearing services.
- As the review progresses, the team might underscore the importance of incorporating scientific evidence to support their proposed changes, striving to deliver the highest standards of service for children's health and wellbeing.
