The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) calls for stronger leadership and professional regulation in Children’s Hearing Services.

The AHCS responds to the Kingdon report on Children’s Hearing Services across NHS England

Date: November 2025

Introduction
The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) welcomes the publication of the independent report on Children’s Hearing Services in England and fully endorses its call for strengthened leadership and robust regulatory frameworks. The findings highlight significant gaps in service quality and governance, reinforcing the urgent need for decisive action to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and equitable care for children.

Above all, we acknowledge the impact that failures in children’s hearing services have had on babies, children, and their families. The AHCS is committed to working collaboratively with all partners to support rapid and comprehensive improvements at pace and scale.

AHCS Position
The AHCS strongly supports the appointment of a Lead Healthcare Scientist in every NHS trust across NHS England. This leadership role is critical to ensuring safe, well-governed services delivered by appropriately staffed and technologically equipped environments.

The AHCS further calls for statutory professional regulation to guarantee accountability and uphold consistent standards across the UK. Continual Professional Development (CPD) remains a core requirement for registration on the AHCS Register, which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), and should be mandated in the interim.

In addition, equivalence to the HCPC register is an established process supported by the AHCS and subject to rigorous review. The AHCS is committed to working collaboratively with the profession to enhance individual experience and strengthen the integrity of healthcare science practice.

Call to Action
We urge policymakers and healthcare leaders to prioritise the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks. Professional regulation should not be optional; it is the cornerstone of public trust and clinical excellence. The AHCS stands ready to support efforts that enhance the quality and safety of Children’s Hearing Services nationwide.

Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and commend the dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment of the audiology workforce. Their contribution is invaluable to the health system, and it is essential that they are supported through clear leadership, adequate resources, and formal professional recognition and registration.  The AHCS remains committed to driving improvements in care and standards across Children’s Hearing Services. We will continue to champion the implementation of Good Scientific Practice
and work collaboratively to ensure robust governance and professional development for all healthcare scientists.

Quote
“We believe that professional regulation is not just a safeguard, it’s the cornerstone of public trust in healthcare science,” said Janet Monkman, Chief Executive of AHCS.

Conclusion
The AHCS calls for immediate, collaborative action to address the critical challenges in Children’s Hearing Services. Our priority is to ensure patients receive the highest standards of care, supported by robust leadership structures and effective statutory regulation.

Note AHCS is a not-for-profit organisation.