Chair's Update November 2023

Dear members,

It is an extremely exciting time for BSA as we launch our brand-new website! We hope that all the hard work over the past 18 months has provided you with a great new resource to improve knowledge, promote learning, inform practice and drive positive impact. As a result of membership feedback, we have created a fresh new format which will make your website easier to navigate and content easier to find. We have improved functionality so that your one membership log in will allow you to access the International Journal of Audiology and the Sound Practice site directly. BSA documentation remains open to all with its own dedicated page but incorporates new search functions that allow you to find the document you want in the right way for you. As you would expect the work of the Speciali Interest Groups, Research Group and all the Online Learning is there for you to explore and enjoy. There is also brand new content for early career professionals and students, and those interested in global outreach. With new membership categories available there should be something to suit everyone that would like to access the benefits of joining the BSA.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members that responded to the survey about our existing website early in 2022, to everyone that participated in the focus groups and tender process. Special thanks also go to our existing web designer Richard Pavey who has continued to provide his expertise during the development of the new website for which we are very grateful and to our new web designers Me&Him who hopefully you will agree have done a fantastic job. And finally, none of this would have been possible without our lead for the website, Nicci Campbell, managing the whole project, our sincere thanks for all your time, effort and energy.

Since the last bulletin and joint publication with the BAA regarding wax removal services, the BSA have met collectively with a number of organisations (AHCS, AIHPP, BAA, BSHAA, RNID) and we are now working together on a number of different aspects relating to the concerns raised. There will be more information available soon through a joint statement from the whole group (including ENT UK) and an urgent revision of the BSA minimum training guidelines is already underway. I will endeavour to keep you updated as this work progresses. Congratulations to our colleagues both at the BAA and UK Hearing Conservation for their recent conferences which we were delighted to support with BSA representatives.

Kind regards

Donna Corrigan

BSA Chair