"Hunt the hidden hearing department"

My first appointment at Lynebank hospital audiology department. I was given directions when I phoned to make appointment but unfortunately by the time I attended many weeks later had completely forgotten them. (Post-stroke, so memory issues).

I arrived by taxi and the driver didn't initially spot any audiology signs but on our second circuit of the hospital buildings saw a confusing arrow and headed in what later turned out to be the wrong direction. I asked him to drop me at the Covid injection section as I had vague idea that I was told to take a right there. It turned out that was incorrect, but I was given correct directions from a very helpful lady there.

I then took a very risky short cut with my rollator down a flight of external stairs as I didn't have the energy to walk the long way around. Half way down the stairs I knew I had taken a very dangerous and foolish risk but thankfully arrived safely at the bottom of the stairs without injury.

I finally arrived at the main building entrance, which had no external signage indicating that audiology is inside this building. I went inside and there was a lot of signage indicating how to get there but you had to know what building to go to first. Better external signage is desperately needed.

I did raise this with my very helpful audiologist and she advised that she was aware of the issue and it has been raised repeatedly for the last 4 years with managers, without any changes being made despite this being raised to appropriate departments. Time to get the paint and sign boards out please!?

Lady I spoke to was lovely and issued me with a new modern Bluetooth hearing aid without any problem, but I do have a very long wait - many months - for a hearing test.

Whilst waiting in the waiting area a member of staff came out and asked those waiting a question (forget what it was) but he was wearing a face mask and another patient waiting there commented to me afterwards that she finds it really frustrating that if anyone should understand the needs of their patients the audiology staff should. Yet they don't take into account that many of their patients lip read and wear a facemask without windows making that impossible. Something to think about?