The National Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times Data Set collects performance information on a monthly basis on the Referral To Treatment pathways of PATIENTS who are receiving NHS funded audiology treatment in England, who are not already included in the Referral To Treatment Data Set data collection. This includes:
- both analogue and digital hearing aid fittings
- services provided directly by NHS Healthcare Providers and also NHS funded PATIENTS treated via the Independent Sector and third sector providers (collected directly or via Primary Care Trusts)
- both new and existing PATIENTS
- any other PATIENTS attending Audiology services directly
For the purposes of the National Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times Data Set, "Direct Access" means PATIENTS who are not referred via Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or other hospital CONSULTANT. Any pathways that are subject to the 18 week waiting time target for Referral to Treatment are out of scope. For this reason PATIENTS on Ear, Nose and Throat pathways (or pathways from other specialties) are excluded from this central return data set - information on these PATIENTS is available via the Referral To Treatment Data Set data collection.
The National Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times Data Set is in two parts, as follows:
Part 1 - Treated Patients should be completed for PATIENTS who have had an ACTIVITY which ends their REFERRAL TO TREATMENT PERIOD (such as first definitive treatment, or a decision not to treat), within the REPORTING PERIOD.
Part 2 - Untreated Patients should be completed for PATIENTS without a REFERRAL TO TREATMENT PERIOD END DATE within the REPORTING PERIOD.
Full guidance on the completion and submission of the National Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times Data Set is available from the Department of Health website.The Department of Health document 'Improving Access to Audiology Service in England' can be found at the "Direct Access Audiology Waiting Times and PTL collections section" of the Department of Health website.