I thought you could only get NHS hearing aids from the hospital?

This is no longer the case. NHS Adult Hearing services are available from local providers in certain areas. In some areas, you can just visit your local branch who can provide a full hearing assessment without a referral from your GP, while in some areas, you will need a referral from your GP, where you can choose from a selection of accredited providers in your local community. Contact your local branch to find out more.