NHS closes collection point in Dursley for hearing aid batteries

A hearing aid battery collection point at Sandpits Clinic in Dursley has been closed, with the replacement service being postal deliveries from NHS Gloucestershire.

People who use hearing aids fear they could have to go without their lifeline equipment for periods of time if the batteries are not sent out promptly or they forget to send off for replacements.

Batteries could previously be collected from Sandpits Clinic by hearing aid users, however a few weeks ago the service was stopped and the NHS said the postal service was a temporary measure while it resolves the issue.

Brian Marsh, of Dursley, is both a local councillor who is campaigning about the issue and a hearing aid user himself.

He said: "I have spoken to many hard of hearing people who are very worried about this change.

"I only use my hearing aid occasionally, but I know that if you use it all the time the batteries run down very quickly.

"If you don’t receive your delivery in time you could be left without any batteries and without your hearing aid. It could be very distressing for some people."

Cllr Marsh said he had started to use the postal delivery service, but was sceptical it would work in the long term.

"It is an inconvenience to me," he said. "It is much easier to pop to the local clinic and pick them up. What happens if they get lost in the post?"

Duncan Thomas, commissioning manager for NHS Gloucestershire, said: "We are aware of the issue regarding supply of hearing aid batteries in the local area.

"We are discussing with Gloucestershire Care Services, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other local organisations about finding a local solution to ensure people can continue to collect their hearing aid batteries."

A spokeswoman for NHS Gloucestershire added that there was a quick turnaround time on postal orders and that they were working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.