Vol. 525 No. 5
276 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to deal with the six month waiting period for assessment for hearing aids in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25707/00]
The audiology service has two staff members – one audiologist and one audiological scientist – covering the Southern Health Board area. There is increasing demand on the service in this region. To reduce waiting times for treatment, arrangements have been made to contract in sessional staff from the Royal Hospital in Belfast. A clinician from that hospital has been contracted to provide additional clinics commencing on 15 November 2000. These additional clinics will con tinue until waiting times for treatment are reduced to a satisfactory level.
It is extremely difficult to recruit audiology staff to the service. The national audiology advisory group is examining what immediate action can be taken to increase the availability of audiology staff. As participants in this group, the Southern Health Board is carrying out a review to determine what extra audiology staff may be required to provide a satisfactory level of service in its area.
The situation in the Southern Health Board area will be monitored closely over the coming months to ensure that waiting times are reduced to the lowest levels possible.
