Clare Kirkman

For 23 years prior to moving to Spain, I worked in the UK Health and Social Care sector. In the early years my role was hands on and in latter years - management. Now I´m dedicated to the profession by way of specialist writing, training and management consultancy. I have always loved to help people.

In May this year, following a pretty serious riding accident, I found myself needing to be cared for – and that was a brand new experience for me.

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Ginare Consulting offer assistance to people who need to use care services both in the UK and in Mainland Southern Spain. We offer a comprehensive assessment of care needs and risk assessment, undertaken within the persons own home.

read the full feature here

By Clare Kirkman

A young woman contacted me and asked whether I could establish how to replace a lost NHS hearing aid. She couldn't´t afford to bear the cost of replacement and was aware that the NHS would not replace it if she was not a UK resident.

It was suggested she pretend to live for 6 months of the year in the UK and 6 months in Spain, but she preferred not to choose this route especially as:

• the hearing aid was needed quickly for a new job
• she was paying into the Spanish healthcare
• she couldn't afford time off OR travel expenses

She recognized that following such advice would mean future problems such as:

• How would she get replacement batteries for the UK aid? Compatible ones appear not to be sold in hearing aid shops here, although some for the old device had previously been sourced in an opticians - but were expensive
• How would it be repaired in Spain if there was a problem?
• Future hearing tests would need to be carried out in the UK

I called a UK organization for the deaf and they advised that she could attend a Spanish GP and get a referral for a new aid. But I researched further and dispelled this which goes to show how hard it can be to get accurate advice even from the experts!

Some interesting points I have established are:

• If you have an NHS hearing aid, you are not supposed to leave the country with it. What I haven't quite confirmed is whether you go to prison or are hung for the crime!
• In the UK any NHS patient needing one, is entitled to a hearing aid
• BUT in Spain, hearing aids are only issued free to persons under the age of 16 years.
• In Spain there are no waiting lists for hearing aids as they are self funded
• Whilst ´deafness research UK´ reported on the 18th September 2006 – a wait of up to 5 years for a device. With this in mind it does beg the question that even if the NHS were willing to replace an ex-pats´ hearing aid, there could be a long wait.

I am now trying to clarify:

• Whether there is scope to claim anything from the NHS against the cost of a hearing aid bought in Spain
• Whether there are any charities supporting those with hearing impairment either in Spain or the UK that will help people in this situation.
• Whether there are any suppliers of batteries / repairers for UK aids in Spain
• Exactly what the punishment for taking an NHS hearing aid on holiday is!

I will keep you posted.

If you have questions between columns - require an assessment of needs or manual handling advice - contact clare@ginare.co.uk or call 951 165052. I will be happy to offer free support where possible or quote for attendance time where required www.ginare.co.uk