GHA Consultant ENT Surgeon Dr Julian Danino has reported a significant achievement for local patients suffering from profound hearing loss. Four individuals with no functional auditory capacity (deaf), have successfully received Cochlear Implants which will have a dramatic positive effect on their quality of life.

The surgical procedures were conducted locally during the past year, resulting in significant cost savings for the GHA of approximately £20,000 per patient by avoiding prolonged UK visits, usually for a minimum period of between eight to ten weeks. In turn, delivering all of the stages of the programme locally has eliminated the need to travel abroad which has been an added benefit for those affected, avoiding a further four to six weeks of UK stays and additional costs. 

In simple terms Cochlear Implants are an extremely advanced version of hearing aids which are implanted (placed) directly into the Cochlear (Organ of Hearing) and require extensive expert assessment before surgery, followed by what is known as the ‘Switch On’ phases, when volume adjustments to the processor of the sounds received are made. In the past this required multiple visits by patients to the UK. 

GHA Consultant ENT Surgeon, Dr Julian Danino, said: “While I am proud to have initiated and driven this vision, all the huge effort over years has been worthwhile after observing the dramatic change to the patients’ and their families’ quality of life and their ability to reintegrate into society.

“To now have a locally delivered Cochlear Implant Programme which is only undertake in a limited (approx. 15-20 UK Hospitals) is an amazing achievement for which I am very proud of. This was only made possible through the collective efforts of Ms. Quinn (GHA Audiologist), the University College London Hospital team, including Mr. Khalil, Prof Saeed, Mr. Gou and Ms Nash, whose expertise and support were invaluable and the GHA Executive Management, particularly Dr Thomson.”

The GHA has now established a pathway along with our UCLH colleagues to undertake this procedure on a regular basis.

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: “I am delighted at the exciting advancements reported by Mr Danino and his collaborators which represents a milestone for our ENT Service. Persons with profound hearing loss are among our most vulnerable patients and this is something that will have a transformational impact for good on their lives. That we are making significant savings too is an added bonus in keeping with our drive for efficiency and cost savings.”

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “This is great  news and is a clear example of how repatriating services can have a huge impact on people’s lives. As I have said time and again, the Government is absolutely committed to the repatriation of services to Gibraltar, where possible, and we will continue to work alongside the GHA on this front.”