Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
577. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding community waiting lists for basic hearing tests of children up to 24 months and access to supporting routine hearing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44701/13]
View answerIn order to reduce the current audiology waiting lists a number of measures are being taken by the HSE. The Audiology Clinical Care Programme has recently developed a waiting list and validation procedure to be implemented regionally. The first data set is due in by the end of this month. Ten recently graduated HSE funded MSc Audiologists are also due to join the workforce this month. This increase in staffing, along with the new National/Assistant National Lead posts, will increase audiology staff by over 30% in community services and substantially increase activity, thereby reducing waiting times.
Additionally, each HSE region is engaging in waiting list initiatives. A programme of streamlining current working practices, care pathways and introducing new technologies will further lead to reduced waiting times for patients. A programme is being piloted whereby Area Medical Officers and Public Health Nurses, who would have carried out the Infant Distraction Hearing Test prior to the introduction of universal newborn hearing screening, will carry out screening on children who have a fluctuating hearing loss due to ear infections. With careful monitoring, these children will now not need to be placed on audiology waiting lists.
Question No. 579 answered with Question No. 576.
