Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The HSE finalised the report of a lookback paediatric audiology services review for the Mayo-Roscommon area for 2011 to 2012 in June last year. It was shared with all 49 affected families in accordance with open disclosure principles. The report and accompanying documentation sent to families from the HSE included an apology for the failures identified and for the anxiety caused to families and those who may have been affected. All 49 children who needed a follow-up as a result of the look-back are either receiving or have already received appropriate necessary care. The HSE has been assisting parents in accessing the necessary health, educational and social protection services, and there has been significant cross-departmental co-operation in that regard.

In December last year, the HSE recalled a further 57 who were identified during the look-back process. The HSE has indicated that this group had an appropriate audiology assessment and the hearing loss was correctly diagnosed. However, they were discharged without appropriate follow-up treatment and a management plan. This group of 57 was not followed up at an earlier stage, as the preliminary risk assessment did not flag them as an area of concern. The group of 49 was seen as the at-risk group and was recalled as a priority. The HSE has advised the Department that all those in the additional group of 57, 35 are under 18 and 22 are over 18, and all 57 have been contacted. To date, 26 have taken up the offer of an appointment. Some 31 did not attend but are being followed up. The priority is open disclosure, which is taking place, and making sure that those who need medical care, educational and social protection supports receive them. We will give an independent inquiry consideration but the priority has to be making sure that affected patients are told and that they receive the medical care and any additional educational and social supports they need.

With regard to other community healthcare areas, only CHO 2 and CHO 5 have had clinical risks identified, requiring a formal look-back review at paediatric cases. The HSE is proceeding with a precautionary recall of children and young adults in CHO 5, the south east area, as part of the quality assurance process. The audits in CHOs 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 have been completed and were found acceptable. An audit of paediatric cases in the south west, in Cork and Kerry, is also planned.

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