HEALTH bosses have performed a U-turn on plans to scrap free hearing aids for patients with minimal hearing loss.

The NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group proposed cutting free aids to people with hearing loss up to 37 decibels in a bid to save £150,000 a year.

It has changed its mind after a six-week consultation.

About 3,000 people use the service every year, about 1,000 of them have mild hearing loss.

Dr Hasan Chowhan, clinical director at the North East Essex commissioning group, said: “We have reviewed the feedback received from our local communities, patients, carers, hearing loss support groups, local and national experts as well as providers of this service.

“Following further clinical discussion we now believe implementing this proposal could have the potential to adversely impact on the quality of life for a large proportion of individuals living with mild hearing loss across north east Essex.”

The clinical commissioning group needs find £14million savings in the next four years.

Other cuts made include reducing free IVF and fertility treatment, scrapping free vasectomies, and stopping smokers and obese people from getting non-essential surgery.