Audiology Workforce Toolkit

The NHS/ARU Workforce Planning Tool Guide provides Heads of Services with the means to make informed, evidence-based decisions on workforce requirements, taking into account projected population trends, patterns of disease prevalence, and current activity data.

Designed in a straightforward MS Excel format, the tool enables forecasting of staffing needs, supporting discussions around safe staffing levels and informing commissioning decisions. It has been created through a collaborative partnership between ARU and NHS England (East of England) Audiology Services.

Workforce planning in health and social care is often inconsistent and focused narrowly on supply and demand, despite challenges including demographic change, evolving health needs, long-term care pressures, and the needs of the workforce itself. Needs-based approaches are emerging but remain limited, with models often assuming constant disease prevalence, neglecting economic capacity, equity, inclusion, and skill mix changes.

This research aims to identify markers of safe, effective healthcare science services and factors influencing waiting times in audiology. Using a needs-based framework (including NHS workforce data, Office of National Statistics (ONS) socio-economic indicators, and disease prevalence) and a consultative approach with audiology colleagues, we have modelled future demand at Integrated Care Board (ICB) and service levels.

This tool is currently being piloted amongst services in England and we would value feedback from service leads on how usable it is and any potential improvements.

NHS service representatives can request a copy of the tool by filling in our online form. We'll only use your details to communicate with you about the Workforce Planning Toolkit, and you may withdraw consent or request deletion of your data at any time by emailing [email protected]