Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
682. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have a wait of at least two years to have a hearing test; the steps he will take in order to improve matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52784/12]
View answer683. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have to wait for a minimum of two years in order to have a hearing aid fitted; if this timeframe is the same in other counties here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.
The HSE National Audiology Review Group Report, published in April 2011, made recommendations to address inconsistencies and shortcomings in the audiology services, including unacceptable waiting times. An additional €3.7 million was made available in 2011 to begin the implementation of the recommendations. Among the actions being taken are the following:
- An Audiology Clinical Care Programme has been put in place under the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate;
- Newborn hearing screening programme now covers Cork, Waterford and Wexford, South Tipperary and Kilkenny hospitals. The roll-out to Dublin Mid Leinster and Dublin North East is scheduled by year end and to HSE West for 2013;
- A candidate has been selected for the post of National Clinical Lead and four Assistant Lead posts have been approved to provide the clinical governance required for the development of the service;
- A unified career structure is being developed;
- The HSE has sponsored 10 M.Sc. in Audiology students, who will be ready to enter the workforce in September 2013;
- Systems for the collation of activity data and patient management are being developed;
- A procurement exercise for the purchasing of hearing aids, hearing aid fitting systems and audiological assessment equipment has been completed; and
- The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Programme has commenced in three sites and will be further rolled out in 2013.
It is expected that these new initiatives will have a positive impact on waiting lists and will provide improvements in audiology services throughout the country. The HSE is not in a position to provide accurate data regarding waiting lists at present. An exercise in validating all audiology waiting lists is underway and will be finalised in 2013.
