Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
54 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason modern digital hearing aids are not supplied to the hard of hearing through the health service; the average length of time a person has to wait before the supply of a hearing aid; and the number on the waiting lists. [10666/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of community audiology services is a matter for the health boards/authority in the first instance.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, conducted a pilot project to evaluate the appropriateness of introducing digital and digitally programmable hearing aids into the community audiology service. The project commenced in 2001 and a final report was produced last year. Staff training was provided as part of the pilot project; digital and digitally programmable hearing aids were then issued to a selected number of cases with hearing loss.
The report concluded that in order to introduce digital and digitally programmable hearing aids into the community audiology service a number of factors would need to be considered. All staff presently engaged in hearing aid fitting would need training and updating in order to use the new technology. Appropriate technology would need to be provided to staff in order to carry out the correct programming of hearing aids. In addition, if new technology is introduced the hearing aid fitting appointments would need to be made more prolonged than at present leading to longer waiting times. These issues, along with the question of costs, are currently being examined by the authority.
Finally, the management of waiting lists for community audiology services is the responsibility of the chief executive officers of the health boards/authority. As waiting list data for all health boards is collected by the ERHA, my Department has asked the regional chief executive of the authority to provide the Deputy with the information in relation to waiting lists as requested.
55 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which it is proposed to continue and to further develop Co-operation and Working Together after the end of 2004 in the context of the new health services structures including the close of co-operation between the North Eastern and North Western Health Boards and the health services in the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Secretary General of my Department met with officials from co-operation and working together, CAWT, regarding the health reform programme during phase I last November. In addition, the chief executive officer of the health boards' executive met with CAWT on 27 February last where it was agreed that discussions would take place at an appropriate time on how best to continue the high level of existing co-operation in the new structures.
Both sides are very keen to continue these close contacts and will be working together with my Department and the new structures to further the links developed to date.
