Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to expedite an audiology appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who was referred by their general practitioner more than 18 months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32973/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The HSE has confirmed that the person referred to by the Deputy has been referred to the audiology services in Cootehill, Co Cavan for assessment and is currently on a waiting list. I understand that the person will receive an audiology assessment appointment by the end of November 2011.

The report of the HSE's National Audiology Review Group was published in April 2011. The HSE is currently pursuing a number of recommendations that will have a direct impact on waiting lists for adult audiology services:-

A group is carrying out an urgent workforce planning review for audiology. This group is due to complete its work this month.

The HSE has sponsored ten candidates to complete an M.Sc. in Audiology. The graduates will be ready to commence work in September 2013.

Each HSE Region is currently in the process of validating its waiting list and evaluating methods to reduce waiting times.

Consultation has commenced within the HSE in order to establish a unified patient management system for audiology. This will manage all scheduling and waiting lists.