"Referrals"

I have generally been pleased with this practice. However, I do not understand why I should have to justify my need to access a referral to audiology given that the doctor had my full history up on the screen showing that I have been deaf my entire life and wear two hearing aids. I have been with the NHS audiology service since I was born. Given that hearing aids are required for deaf people to work and that lack of ability to interact with others is the leading cause of a whole range of health problems including alzheimers and dementia, you would think they would see the cost-effectiveness of supporting deaf people's access to simple solutions. I should not be having to justify my access. I am now going to have to wait god knows how long to get what I need when this used to be a drop in service that could be accessed as required. An absolutely shocking and short-sighted bureaucratic deterioration in services - not just due to this GP service but clearly a systemic issue.