Audiology teams from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have come together to create the first Audiology Vehicle in Wales which will provide high quality NHS care to rural communities in North Wales.

It is hoped the new service will improve outreach and complement the existing service in local hospitals.

The project is completely charted funded and has been made possible thanks to funding from Awyr Las: The North Wales NHS Charity and NHS Charities Together.

The van's official launch took place at St Asaph Library on 27 August 2024. It is fitted with with all the specialist equipment an audiologist needs to carry out accurate tests whilst serving the more rural communities in North Wales.

John Day, clinical director of audiology, said: “The Audiology Teams have worked together for the past two years to bring this fantastic project to light. The new Community Audiology Vehicle has only been made possible thanks to the hard work from the Audiology Teams, Awyr Las and NHS Charities Together. We are all looking forward to seeing what this project achieves and how it better supports our rural communities across North Wales.”

Chris Easton, director of strategy and impact at NHS Charities Together, said: “We are thrilled to have contributed £30,000 towards this important pioneering project, which has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment for anyone living with hearing-related conditions. We know that there are still huge inequalities in access to healthcare, but everyone should be able to access quality NHS treatment, no matter where they live. We hope that the audiology van will make a huge difference to those living in rural communities across North Wales and we look forward to hearing from staff and patients about their experience using this innovative service.”