Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 Health Service Executive (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 addition, the rollout of a National Audiology Clinical Management system in 2020 is facilitating accurate data collection in respect of community audiology services.

In light of these recent developments, the Department had engaged with the HSE regarding the need for an additional hearing care plan.

The Department and the HSE agree that there is such a need. The Department will lead on the development of such a plan, with considerable input from the HSE. Other relevant stakeholders will also be invited to provide input as needed.

The hearing care plan will consider the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to support improved access to services. This work will take place in tandem with other efforts to improve health outcomes for all those suffering from hearing loss.