PATIENTS in Bradford are waiting almost twice as long as the national average to be fitted with hearing aids, a report has found.

In the Bradford District’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), patients wait an average of 8.8 weeks. Meanwhile, in the NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, patients are waiting 9.2 weeks. For both CCGs, there is a 100 per cent referral for treatment within 18 weeks.

The study, by Specsavers, found the worst performing CCG in Yorkshire is the NHS Leeds West CCG with a waiting time of 17 weeks. The shortest time is at the NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, with one week. Patients in England should wait no longer than 18 weeks for treatment. Colin Campbell, Specsavers, said: “NHS audiology departments are tasked with managing a service in the face of severe cuts and increasing demand.”