New partnership approach will improve hearing services

New partnership approach will improve hearing services

A proposal to develop a new centre of clinical excellence to promote innovative practice and improved outcomes for deaf and impaired hearing people, is a step closer with the launch of a new collaboration.

The Cochlear Implant Centre of Clinical Excellence will bring together hearing related clinical practice, research, education and technology under one roof for the first time in New Zealand.

This results from a new partnership between the University of Auckland’s audiology services, the Hearing House and the Kelston Deaf Education Centre who have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the proposal.

The collaboration was officially launched at a function at the University last night.

“The centre will bring together the clinical, education and research teams to provide a stronger and more effective multidisciplinary service to hearing impaired children and adults,” says the University’s hearing scientist, Professor Peter Thorne.

“The main focus will be on provision of cochlear implants and the partnership will enable the service to draw on the latest research and clinical practice,” he says. “It’s about developing innovation in service delivery and evidence –based approaches.”

“Cochlear implants are one of the ways that these services could enhance educational opportunities for children with hearing loss,” says Dr Thorne. “The approach also promises to broaden the scope of research to service delivery and offers the potential for new breakthroughs and innovations.”

“This new agreement enables the parties to work towards successfully delivering services for the cochlear implants throughout the northern region in the future,” says Professor Thorne.

In working towards a centre of excellence and a multidisciplinary approach, the University of Auckland will help to strengthen the existing linkages of the partners by providing independent evaluations

“The independent research-led evaluations have the potential to further strengthen the collaborative approach and strong partnerships providing each party with evidence based accountability and performance assessment,” says Professor Thorne.

“The proposed new $7 million premises and facilities at The Hearing House in Greenlane will enable the parties to shift the level of delivery forward and to create a better platform from which the wider team can work,” he says.

The building programme supported by philanthropists and other funders is due for completion in late 2016. The larger space will provide dedicated resource facilities for cochlear implants, which means servicing the needs of deaf children and adults can continue to improve.

“These new facilities will also enable more opportunities for student training, and more research on site which will result in better research translation straight to clients,” says Hearing House CEO, Scott Johnston.

“Many individuals and teams have worked hard to bring about these positive changes,” he says. “And these achievements have only been possible with the full co-operation, engagement and support from the staff involved.”

“It’s a positive opportunity and is about securing the future and ensuring joined-up delivery with the same group working with clients throughout their lives,” he says.

The integration of paediatrics and adults services at one key site enables enhanced client continuation improvement, and staff learning/practice opportunities.

ENDS

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