"Hearing Aid Batteries"

I turned up at reception to receive replacement batteries for my NHS hearing aid to be advised that they could no longer provide them to NHS patients whose main hospital is Addenbrookes.

Luckily, the following Thursday was a drop-in clinic but I had to wait over an hour just to get batteries.

The guiding principal of the NHS is that the service is free at the point of need.

The person who made this edict clearly does not believe in consultation or communication and does not wish to be known by those affected. I could find no point of contact during my research and do not wish to contact my MP during an election.

In addition, staff seemed as ill-informed as I am.

Newmarket community hospital serves a wide area due to its easy access and friendly staff who get to know their regular customers, and visa-versa.

Small matters like providing batteries during opening hours has a high value to users and cannot be a huge additional cost to the hospital.

The person who sponsored the idea of ceasing this service was clueless and those that approved it did not think it through or think it was worth questioning (again the tendency not to have a curiosity when presented with a report for a decision).

I ask that you have this decision reversed and the full service restored.

PS I did not have the option for the correct department in the box below.

The answer is untrue so that this review would be processed.