The Department of Health and Social Care has published the ‘Kingdon Review of Children’s Hearing Services: Final Report’, led by Dr Camilla Kingdon, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Commissioned in response to concerns about the quality and consistency of paediatric audiology, the independent review identifies deep-rooted challenges in leadership, workforce capacity and service governance across England.
Describing children’s hearing services as “overlooked, undervalued and under-funded”, the report highlights significant variation in service standards – with only 27 of 139 services currently IQIPS-accredited – and warns that the system lacks the national oversight required to ensure safety and quality.
Key findings:
- The review calls for urgent reform of children’s hearing services, including stronger clinical leadership and clearer lines of accountability across commissioners and providers.
- It recommends renewed investment in the audiology workforce, improved training pathways, and enhanced professional recognition for healthcare scientists.
- The national Paediatric Hearing Services Improvement Programme is described as under-resourced and in need of clearer governance and direction.
- Improved data collection, audit and quality assurance are identified as essential to restoring confidence in paediatric audiology.
The review makes 12 recommendations, grouped under three themes: immediate service improvement, securing long-term system stability, and drawing wider lessons for other small but high-risk services.
In a letter published alongside the report, Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and confirmed that the Government will provide a full response to the recommendations.
Dr Kingdon said: “We cannot continue to allow children’s hearing services to operate in the shadows. The consequences of delayed or missed diagnosis of hearing loss are lifelong and profound.”
The full report and Government response can be accessed at:
gov.uk/government/publications/kingdon-review-of-childrens-hearing-services-final-report
