AN AWARD-WINNING business has celebrated its triumph by moving to bigger premises.

The Hearing Care Centre, named Shepway Small Business of the Year at a presentation gala earlier in the year, is now based at Sandgate Road, a former bank in Folkestone.

The enterprise was previously based at Shearway Business Park but needed more space. Bosses also wanted to make it easier for clients to visit.

The Hearing Care Centre was founded by directors Mark and Sue Scutchings in 1997.

It provides hearing aids and diagnostic services to private hospitals, individuals and industry across the region.

Corporate clients include Pfizer and P&O Ferries. Its services include pre-employment medicals, hearing screening for staff and identifying potential noise exposure problems by measuring noise levels on site.

Written reports are provided using Health and Safety Executive guidelines and advice is given on how to comply with legislation.

Mr Scutchings is a hospital trained physiologist and registered hearing aid dispenser.

He trained at London’s Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital and Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Shepway award judges praised the centre’s quality of service, sustainable profit and willingness to seek advice as part of its learning and development strategy.

Since 1991, centre staff have paid regular visits to Romania to help children and adults suffering from hearing loss.

Earlier this year, the company launched an appeal for unwanted hearing aids for use in Romania.

Meanwhile, Mr Scutchings claims that the Government’s digital hearing aid programme is failing.

Since the introduction of the Modernisation of Hearing Aid Services, which began in September 2000, waiting times have become unacceptably long, he says.

Some Kent patients have to wait up to two and a half years for an NHS hearing aid.

He said: "One in seven people suffer from hearing difficulties. Hearing problems sharply increase at 60 years of age. With an ageing population, these long waiting lists, combined with low staffing levels, are cause for concern.

"Patients are waiting a long time for hearing aids and the overall experience is unsatisfactory. As well as long waiting times for an initial appointment and fitting, there are also severe delays for those requiring adjustments after aids have been fitted."

According to the Hearing Aid Centre, the average waiting time in the south east is 58 weeks, compared to an average of 40 weeks for England.

The region also has one of the lowest rates - 67 per cent - in the supply of digital aids.