PATIENTS in Knighton will now be able to have some hearing test appointments locally rather than being forced to travel outside of the area, thanks to a community group.

The funding for new audiology equipment is thanks to Knighton Community Hospital’s League of Friends, and will mean patients can attend appointments at the hospital.

The League of Friends has provided money to enable Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) to purchase an audiometer for Knighton Hospital. An audiometer is an instrument used to measure hearing levels to identify hearing loss and create a prescription for a fitting of a hearing aid.

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“Since providing the equipment, 121 patients have been able to attend Knighton Community Hospital for their hearing test, and many of these patients then had their hearing aid fitted locally,” said Rachel Duprey, who is PTHB’s professional head of audiology.

Ms Duprey explained that patients’ first appointments may still need to take place at Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital – which is a little over 18 miles (30 minutes) away – but then, depending on the patient’s condition, most appointments can continue at Knighton.

Susan Wilson, chair of the League of Friends, said: “The League of Friends have been delighted to help in this way as well as in other projects to ensure the ongoing work of Knighton Hospital, so serving the local community.”

County Times: Linda Giffard shows how a patient would be tested in a soundproof unit. Linda Giffard shows how a patient would be tested in a soundproof unit. (Image: PTHB)

“This new service underlines the health board’s commitment to maintaining services at the hospital in Knighton,” said David Farnsworth, the health board’s assistant director of community services.

“We are working hard to increase the number of outpatient appointments at the hospital so that we can reduce the need for travel – creating savings of time and money for our patients as well as reduce carbon emissions.

“As well as this new audiology service at Knighton, we are also now having regular visits by the Public Health Wales diabetic retinopathy eye screening team.”

He heaped praise on the League of Friends for the wider impact it has had on services and opportunities for hospital patients. “The League of Friends has also provided funding for the development of the hospital garden and this work is planned to go ahead this year,” he said.

“We are truly grateful to these volunteers for the excellent fundraising work they carry out.”