- Aim: Ensure that abolition of the Hearing Aid Council does not lead to a drop in either service quality or trading standards for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Impact: The Hearing Aid Council is due to be abolished in April 2009. We are working with the professional body to develop a clear code of conduct for hearing aid dispensers and a complaints process to strengthen private patients' opportunity for redress.
- Aim: Lever radical change in statutory community equipment services by securing funding to develop new models of service delivery to be copied nationally.
- Impact: As part of a government working group, we supported the development and piloting of a new way of delivering community equipment services through retail. We provided the specifications for the sensory products which have now been included in the National Product Catalogue, from which local authorities select appropriate products to meet the needs of their client groups.
- Aim: Improve the effectiveness of audiology services by securing three new contracts by March 2008 to deliver audiology support services and provide volunteers to support hearing aid wearers.
- Impact: We have secured three new audiology support services in the last 12 months, carrying out simple maintenance, support and signposting. In Milton Keynes and on the Isle of Wight these services are funded by Primary Care Trusts. In the Royal Borough of Kingston we have developed a service in partnership with local statutory agencies including Age Concern and other voluntary groups.
As well as helping to create capacity in audiology departments, our services enable clients to live independently, reducing the need for more complex care. We are continuing to develop our coverage and will start two further new services in south and west London during 2008/9.
- Aim: Ensure RNID’s impact on the environment is proactively considered in all areas of our work. Reduce CO2 emissions by 30 tonnes and paper sent to landfill by at least 60 tonnes by April 2008.
- Impact: After completing an eco-audit RNID has switched to a green energy supplier for many sites, introduced water saving systems and increased the use of recycled paper. This achieved a 200 tonne (10%) reduction in the amount of CO2 we produce with more than 100 tonnes of paper diverted from landfill.
- Aim: Conduct and disseminate a major annual survey into the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, covering all aspects of their lives. Conduct and publish significant new research into the medical and social experiences of people with tinnitus.
- Impact: The annual survey continues to be highly successful, with a response rate of more than one in four. We will use the results to inform our ongoing work to improve access to public transport and employment prospects for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The new research on tinnitus has been completed and publication is imminent.
- Aim: Continue the implementation of our diversity initiative and measure its demographic impact, to ensure that our workforce reflects the communities it serves.
- Impact: Work already implemented includes diversity as a specific subject during staff inductions; ongoing work designed to increase general work force awareness; complete revision of all recruitment literature and service user involvement in recruitment.
In a recent survey, over 90% of staff indicated that, in their opinion, people at RNID are treated fairly regardless of their age, race or ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation or disability status.
- Aim: Implement new intranet and HR systems within 18 months to deliver improved organisational processes and access to information ensuring the organisation is more effective.
- Impact: The implementation of the new intranet has been delayed but is now progressing in line with the broader development of the RNID website.
The HR project is also now moving forward with implementation of the first two phases scheduled for December 2008.
- Aim: Develop an active local community presence that delivers impact through volunteering projects, mentoring and social support for people who deaf or hard of hearing.
- Impact: We currently have approximately 2,000 volunteers working on 25 projects across the UK, including supporting people in Manchester with tinnitus and helping people in Northern Ireland get used to their hearing aids.
We have also worked with other organisations, such as Samaritans, to encourage people who are deaf or hard of hearing to become volunteers.
We are increasing resources in this area and plan to resume development work over the next year.
Cilla & Donna's story
Cilla and Donna have been running a club for older deaf people for two years. They provide an invaluable service to their members and enjoy a rewarding experience in return. “We enjoy doing our bit for them and we hope they enjoy us doing it.” Cilla.
“Cilla and Donna are fantastic – they’re lovely people. It’s interesting, something to look forward to and what I appreciate most is the friendship. This means a tremendous amount to me.” Iris, club member.
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