Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
730. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to develop a national hearing care plan, as recommended by the World Health Organisation; if he has held discussions with the relevant stakeholders on an agreed model of hearing care for the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31150/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Audiology Review Group Report, published by the Health Services Executive (HSE) in 2011, identified shortcomings in the audiology services available at the time (including access issues, poor information, inadequate staffing, and unacceptable waiting times) and made recommendations to address these issues.
While most of these recommendations have been implemented, and the remaining recommendations are being progressed, there is still work to do in relation to the community audiology waiting lists. These have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the HSE is actively looking at all options to increase activity and minimise patient wait times nationally. Activity has now returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The rollout of a National Audiology Clinical Management system for community and acute services is facilitating accurate data collection, including for the purposes of waiting list management.
The World Health Organisation’s World Report on Hearing published in March 2021 recommends, among other things, that governments develop a comprehensive people-centred hearing care plan within their national health care plan.
The HSE published revised Best Practice Guidelines for the Provision of Hearing Aid Services for Adults in Ireland on the 7 February 2023. The HSE also published Quality Standards for Paediatric Community Audiology Services on the 13 October 2022. These standards are sequenced to reflect the patient pathway.
In light of the recent development of best practice guidelines and standards, the Department is examining further with the HSE the need for an additional hearing care plan. The Department continues to liaise with the HSE to improve health outcomes for all those suffering from hearing loss.
