Questions and Answers Updated March 2006

The launch of BAA has resulted in considerable interest which is very welcome. However this has generated a significant amount of questions.. This section of the web site attempts to bring together the common questions that have been asked and give, as far as is possible, answers.  So keep reading to get the latest views....

	What is BAA?
	It is the new professional body for Audiologists in the UK. It replaces BAAS, BAAT and BSHT
	How will members of the board be appointed in the future?
	This is covered in the constitution available on this site but a simplified schematic is available here
	How much will membership be?
	Fellow (No fee yet as membership category to be created later) Full £55.00 Affiliate £45.00 Student £15.00 International £60.00 Organisational (No fee yet as membership category to be created later)
	Does this replace BSA?
	No. BSA represents the individual who has a qualification or a related interest in Audiology. There is no doubt BAA will be a very large organisation and may carry out some of the roles that BSA currently performs but BAA and BSA have agreed to meet so that we can develop together.
	What about Medical and Educational Audiology?
	BAA is a strong supporter of diverse backgrounds and models of Audiological care and recognises the importance of medical and educational audiology. However at present we have to walk before we can run. So far very constructive discussions have taken place with medical audiology organisations and we are hopeful that in the future BAA will represent all audiologists.
	Will the MSc cease to be funded as basic training for A grade clinical scientists?
	The Chief Scientific Officer is keen to continue the existing funding of A grade trainees and at present the shortage of Audiologists means that any existing training routes are unlikely to be scrapped in the short term. BAA are actively seeking to firm this issue with the Department of Health and the Workforce Development confederations.
	Is there going to be a route into Audiology for those currently working within the NHS but not as audiologists as many of my colleagues have entered the profession from other departments or have started as assistants and under the new graduate system people such as these would be excluded?  That is, are there plans for a part time degree?
	As you know the new training route for audiologist is via a four year full-time accredited degree in Audiology. By the autumn 2005 it is anticipated there will be 6 HEI's in England providing the course, one in Wales and one in Scotland; Northern Ireland are considering their options. This will be the only route into Audiology to work as a qualified registered audiologist. Within the Agenda for Change this will be at Band 5. It is anticipated that all audiologists will be required to be registered via RCCP / HPC by the end of 2005, this will also required registrants to have worked for four years within the Audiology field by the end of 2008. This would preclude staff from other professions from entering Audiology, unless they can obtain registration via HPC either as an Audiologist or Clinical Scientist. With this in mind the profile of the post of an associate practitioner in Audiology has numerous possibilities. This will be at Band 4, as of today, such posts are not required to obtain registration, although this cannot be rule out in future. The duties/ job description of associate practitioner is still being reviewed by the 'Academy' but it is hoped to publish more detailed information in the early part of 2005. Discussions are around a generic NHS Foundation degree [probably two years duration] including meeting professional competency. It is anticipated the academic enter requirements will be very diverse, giving maximum flexibility to candidates wishing to join the profession at this level. It should be possible for associate practitioners [Band 4] to move on and obtain a BSc in Audiology, which will allow them to work as audiologists [Band 5], similar to the future requirements for higher training for qualified audiologists to move up the career structure to [say] Band 7.Part-time degree course are not being rule out, but at the present time all the efforts are going into offering the existing students a high quality academic and clinical placement experience associated with their full-time four year degrees.GAB (Nov04)
	Will the BAAS CAC continue.
	There will be a need to continue the CAC as part of the funded A grade training for clinical science registration whilst this route is available. There will also be a need for clinical competence assessment at both the post BSc and post MSc levels. Lessons learned from the CAC and BAAT2 may inform the development of those assessments.
	Do I need to re-register with either the clinical science board or the RCCP?
	No. So long as you are registered it does not matter which board. The registration board will not affect your career progression
	How can I join?
	The majority of members will transfer as a result of the amalgamation votes.  Membership forms are available on the web site. Click Here
	What's in it for me, why should I join?
	The BAA is one of the largest organizations in Europe that is "of the professionals and for the professionals in audiology". It will become the premier organisation that has YOU, the professional, with its interests at heart. Other large organisations are driven by political or patients' agendas that may not have your best interests as their main focus. BAA will be large, have political influence and represent the practitioners of audiology.
	How will Scotland be represented within the BAA, as currently the feeling north of the border is that we are in part excluded from the modernisation process?
	BAA are conscious that there will be a need for regional representation. UPDATE November 2003 The role of the vice Chair will have responsibility for the UK regions (Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland). This puts it at a very high level in the organisation and ensures commitment that BAA will be a British and not English organisation.
	Will the membership fee be tax deductible?
	Yes
	What are the committees and responsibilities of the BAA Board?
	Chair – payment to employer to cover costs related to 2 sessions a week. Main role - figurehead and lobbying. Vice-chair – specific responsibility for UK regions Secretary – honorary. (Paid secretarial post and paid business manager) Treasurer – honorary The constitution committee have proposed the following 8 Committees:- Accreditation CPD and higher training Research and Development, standards and protocols Registration and professional issues Communication and publicity Conferences and meetings Regional issues – to cover issues across local regions Membership – to include current membership secretaries People will be co-opted onto these committees, each chaired by a board member.
	I notice you have a Fellowship Category of Membership. Isn't this divisive and reinforces the difference between Scientists and MTO's
	No. There is a need to align Audiologists to other Clinical Professions in the NHS and the status of Fellow is widely recognised as a Senior Practionier and understood by other groups. This will be awarded on Merit and is likely to be aligned to the Agenda for Change Band 8. This will therefore not be based on previous higher degrees but on job role and ability to practise at the higher levels as an Audiologist. This will be open to all and not based on previous affiliations.
	Now its your turn to ask a question to Email question@baaudiology.org