The HSE has issued a tender notice seeking providers to help reduce long waiting lists for community-based audiology care.
According to the notice issued by the Executive, there are “significant waiting lists” for new patients across the country “due to limited capacity in services”.
The Community Audiology Service provides hearing assessments and management for “the full spectrum” of patients from infants to older persons. The chosen provider will help to “achieve good countrywide coverage which will be drawn down on by local HSE community service teams to meet the requirements of their service users”.
The delay in accessing services and receiving assessment/treatment leads to an impact on the quality-of-life for patients.
The notice recognises the impact that waiting times can have on children, in particular. It notes that untreated hearing loss “or late or delayed diagnosis with inadequate support has a detrimental impact on children’s development”.
It is understood that the HSE is seeking a provider to specifically perform paediatric diagnostic assessment and assessment management services.
According to HSE data, some 11,633 children are waiting for initial audiology assessment in the community.
In 2024, the Department of Health established a national hearing care plan working group jointly chaired by the HSE and the Department to examine capacity issues and other matters in the provision of hearing care.
The group is developing a hearing care plan, which will be informed by the World Health Organisation World Report on Hearing. A draft plan is expected in the coming months.
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