Written answers
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Department of Health
Audiology Services Provision
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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337. To ask the Minister for Health the number of adults currently on the public waiting list to access audiology services. [42811/14]
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Minister for Health the average public waiting time for an adult to access community audiology services in the health system. [42813/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 339 together.
As of March 2014, there were 4,070 adults on the waiting list for assessment. The HSE's Integrated Audiology Programme is overseeing a number of developments that will reduce these numbers shortly. Included in these developments is the validation of all waiting lists to produce a more accurate assessment of priorities, the recruitment of nine new graduates in mid 2014, and the establishment of otitis media screening clinics run by public health nurses and area medical officers. The procurement of a computerised patient management system in 2015, which will provide real time data and better day to day management of lists, is under consideration.
More specific accurate data regarding waiting times should be available in January 2015.
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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338. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the public waiting list to access audiology services. [42812/14]
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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340. To ask the Minister for Health the average public waiting time for a child to access community audiology services in the health system. [42814/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 340 together.
As of September 2014, 6,054 children are awaiting assessment. The HSE's Integrated Audiology Programme is overseeing a number of developments that will reduce these numbers shortly. Included in these developments is the validation of all waiting lists to produce a more accurate assessment of priorities, the recruitment of nine new graduates in mid 2014 and the establishment of otitis media screening clinics run by public health nurses and area medical officers. A prioritisation system has been put in place to ensure that the more urgent cases are seen sooner.
More specific accurate data regarding waiting times should be available in January 2015.
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Health the number of community audiologists employed by the Health Service Executive to cater for both adults and children. [42815/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Traditionally, audiology staff worked specifically with either paediatric or adult clients. Over recent years there has been up-skilling of staff to work with both population cohorts to ensure more flexible working and succession planning. The data on exact staff numbers working with adults solely and paediatrics solely is not available immediately but will be collated by the HSE and forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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342. To ask the Minister for Health the regional breakdown in the number of Health Service Executive employed community audiologists working in the respective HSE regions. [42816/14]
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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344. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of HSE employed community audiologists working in the respective HSE regions. [42818/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together.
The number of community audiologists working for the HSE is as follows:
| HSE Region | Audiology WTE |
|---|---|
| HSE South | 17 |
| HSE West | 17.8 |
| HSE DML | 11 |
| HSE DNE | 10.89 |
| TOTAL | 56.69 |
The National Audiology Review Group report recommended integrated working between acute care and community care audiology staff. This is under way in a number of areas with sharing of workload and staff rostering.
In the past three years the number of WTE audiologists in place across the integrated community and acute services has increased from 72 to 92. In addition, revised governance structures have been established, including the recruitment of a National Clinical Lead for Audiology and 4 Assistant National Clinical Leads. The HSE sponsored students to complete an M.Sc. programme and 9 of these graduates are now in HSE posts. The current HSE focus is on filling any vacant posts and standardising work processes to ensure that an efficient service is provided across the country in a performance management framework.
Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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343. To ask the Minister for Health the regional breakdown in the number of Health Service Executive employed community audiologists working in the respective HSE regions in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [42817/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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This information is not readily available but is being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
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