UK NHS and Independent Audiologists..

[Crumbs]

I have been lurking on the forum and enjoying it for a while.
I am an NHS trained audiologist with 7 years gained across a wide range of Trusts in the South East.

Having worked in the private sector briefly, I have found that I enjoy the bigger ranges of hearing aids available to provide to clients, and now intend to set out on my own and be 'independent'.

For those whom have experienced both sides of the fence I wondered if you would be so kind as to provide some words of wisdom for starting out independently.

Thank you.

[DavidJennings]

Hi I am new to this forum, but just read you’re post and thought I could offer my similar experience.
I had around 10 years experience in the NHS before going independent together with a friend that was already dispensing. Initially I found the dispensing to be interesting but then I started to miss the wide variety of patients I saw in the NHS.
The private market seems to be changing, we used to be able to offer far superior aids to the NHS, but now NHS aids are just as advanced!
After working independently for two years, I decided the NHS offered a much more diverse working environment and really missed working in a team. I am now working back in the NHS.
This is just my point of view; working independently is not what it’s cracked up to be! and now I am earning more in the NHS together with some extra locum work than I ever did independently dispensing

[Um bongo]

Originally Posted by DavidJennings

Hi I am new to this forum, but just read you’re post and thought I could offer my similar experience.
I had around 10 years experience in the NHS before going independent together with a friend that was already dispensing. Initially I found the dispensing to be interesting but then I started to miss the wide variety of patients I saw in the NHS.
The private market seems to be changing, we used to be able to offer far superior aids to the NHS, but now NHS aids are just as advanced!
After working independently for two years, I decided the NHS offered a much more diverse working environment and really missed working in a team. I am now working back in the NHS.
This is just my point of view; working independently is not what it’s cracked up to be! and now I am earning more in the NHS together with some extra locum work than I ever did independently dispensing

Just out of interest, what were you fitting privately that wasn't more advanced than the NHS product?

[DavidJennings]

Originally Posted by Um bongo

Just out of interest, what were you fitting privately that wasn't more advanced than the NHS product?

Hi,
In the NHS I currently fit the Siemens impact range. They offer 12 channel, automatic directional mics, 5 progs, binaural processing and most of the other “features” private hearing aids offer- In some situations we can also offer the Bluetooth tek! Yes privately you can buy aids with up to 20 channels, but personally I think models such as the impact provide more than adequate amplification for any patient.

[Um bongo]

Originally Posted by DavidJennings

Hi,
In the NHS I currently fit the Siemens impact range. They offer 12 channel, automatic directional mics, 5 progs, binaural processing and most of the other “features” private hearing aids offer- In some situations we can also offer the Bluetooth tek! Yes privately you can buy aids with up to 20 channels, but personally I think models such as the impact provide more than adequate amplification for any patient.

Its great that your trust has the funds to do this, locally the NHS are reverting to manaural, fully occluded moulds with larger BTE that has a numbered VC etc. Apparently the cost of slim-tube and domes (purchase and fitting) is causing too many issues.