Are you a professional singer or voice user in Northern Ireland with a voice problem requiring a specialist clinical assessment?
BAPAM, the medical charity that provides specialist medical assessments and advice to professional and student performing artists, recommends that any singer or actor presenting with a vocal problem of more than 2-3 weeks’ duration, or persisting for more than 2 weeks post-infection, should be referred to a multidisciplinary Specialist Voice Clinic.
If you live in Northern Ireland and are currently on a waiting list for a specialist voice assessment through an NHS Healthcare Trust or HSC Board, you may be eligible for the Republic of Ireland Reimbursement Scheme (formerly known as EU Cross Border Directive). Mr Mark Rafferty at St Vincent’s Private Hospital is able to offer this service. This scheme allows a patient to travel to the Republic of Ireland for a vocal health specialist assessment.
The procedure is paid for initially by the patient and refunded by the NHS.
BAPAM also works closely with music benevolent funds and if possible, we will help professional voice users to access alternative Specialist Voice Clinics in the private sector, but this is likely only to be an interim measure, and we recommend that you should always see your GP for referral. Our recommendations for best practice in vocal health are here https://www.bapam.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vocal-Health-Referral-Recommendations-April-2022.pdf
If you would like to discuss this further, you are welcome to ring to speak to a member of the BAPAM team on 020 8167 4775.