Audiology expansion for Black & Lizars

The audiology arm of Scottish optical group, Black & Lizars, has confirmed a positive growth for the year, reporting a “significant increase” in its contribution to the company, as well as new staff members.

The department, which serves more than half of Black & Lizars’ 24 practices, is embarking on a further growth in 2017, with an initial target of a 20% increase in turnover, the opticians confirmed.

Under the leadership of principal audiologist Stephen Gibbs, the audiology arm of the business has seen “thousands” of patients, identifying at least 1500 people who urgently required further treatment for hearing issues.

Speaking about the growth, commercial manager at Black & Lizars, Nisith Nathwani, said: “2016 has been a very exciting time in audiology and after a thorough review, our business is in excellent shape and forms a solid platform for future growth.”

Mr Nathwani confirmed that Black & Lizars will launch an intensive marketing campaign this year to increase awareness of its audiology offering and “to transform the department from what essentially has been a start-up into a core part of the business,” he explained.

As part of the growth plan, Black & Lizars will explore the possibility of extending the geographical reach of its service beyond existing practices by pinpointing new locations to offer hearing health advice from. These locations, Mr Nathwani said, could include rooms within GP and dental practices, as well as in the premises of community pharmacists.

Managing director at Black & Lizars, Michelle Le Prevost, commented: “The audiology department is making an increasing contribution to the group and we expect this to grow substantially in the coming year.”

Black & Lizars launched it audiology offering in 2013 to “add value to the professional health care service” it provides throughout Scotland.