Press release
Minister for Health establishes National Hearing Care Plan Working Group
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has established a National Hearing Care Plan Working Group.
The Hearing Care Plan Working Group will be jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Membership of the Working Group is drawn from relevant stakeholders, including the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, the Irish Academy of Audiology, and the Department of Social Protection.
The Hearing Care Plan Working Group will consider the current level of hearing care provision in Ireland, capacity constraints and opportunities within the HSE, and the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to maximise positive outcomes for patients. The Hearing Care Plan Working Group will draft a National Hearing Care Plan containing recommendations for the development of a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland.
Minister Donnelly said:
"I am pleased to have formed the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group which will develop a Plan with recommendations for the development of a holistic model of hearing care. I am eager that the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders, and especially patients and caregivers, are considered in the development of this Plan.
"As a priority, I have tasked the Working Group to prepare, within two months of its commencement, costed proposals to improve capacity and enhance access to services. I have asked the Working Group to complete the Hearing Care Plan within a reasonable time frame.
"I look forward to seeing the recommendations that arise from the work of this Group. I know that improving care for those suffering from hearing loss will be at the heart of the recommendations made."
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that governments develop a comprehensive, integrated universal people-centred ear and hearing care plan within their national health care plan.
The Report further recommends that Ministries of Health:
The Hearing Care Plan Working Group, established by the Minister for Health, and jointly chaired by the department and the HSE, will develop a National Hearing Care Plan which ensures appropriate regard to and is informed by, the WHO World Report on Hearing.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Report on Hearing, published in March 2021[1] recommends that governments develop a comprehensive, integrated universal people-centred ear and hearing care plan within their national health care plan. The report further recommends that Ministries of Health:
There is a need to develop a National Hearing Care Plan.
There are several reasons for this. There is increasing demand on public audiology services which has seen substantial growth in patient waiting times, as existing HSE capacity is not able to meet this demand. There is a need to integrate services in respect of the provision of audiology and to consider the potential for the wider use of capacity, including non-HSE capacity. Therefore, there is a need to develop a holistic hearing model of care, to consider the appropriate linkage between private and public provision of services, in the short-term and to make a multi-year plan for the provision of hearing care for the longer term.
The Working Group will consider the current level of hearing care provision, capacity constraints and opportunities within the HSE, and the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care before making recommendations regarding holistic hearing care. The input of several stakeholders, including external providers, will be sought to ensure that the recommendations made are comprehensive.
The Working Group will develop a National Hearing Care Plan. The Plan will include recommendations regarding how to develop a holistic model of care for the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in the Irish population. This will require input from a range of stakeholders. A priority focus of this will be the appropriate linkage of public and private provision to meet increasing demand for services in the short-term. The Group will also consider the recommendations of the WHO World Report on Hearing in the development of the National Hearing Care Plan. It will ensure a particular emphasis and analysis on the current integration of the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. package[2] into the health service along with opportunities and options for its further integration having regard to recommendations 1 and 2 of the WHO Report and population needs.
The Hearing Care Plan Working Group will be co-chaired by the Department of Health and the HSE. The Working Group will have representation from the following organisations:
The Working Group will invite submissions from various relevant stakeholders.[3]
The Working Group will:
1. Agree priorities in the first instance with the recognition that there is a need to improve access to services in the adult population.
1.1 As a priority, the Group will prepare, within two months of its commencement, an analysis and costed proposals to improve capacity and enhance access to adult services as an interim measure.
1.2 In the context of this proposal, the Group will also consider opportunities to enhance the productivity and efficiency of existing services with a view to maximising existing capacity.
2. Consider current provision, including constraints and deficiencies.
3. Consider the need for more public information on hearing care.
4. Consider the overlap of provision of care by the HSE furnished under the Treatment Benefit Scheme and whether these can be streamlined for the respective cohort.
5. Consider the international picture and best practice in the provision of hearing care.
6. Scope out the requirements of a national Hearing Care Plan from a clinical perspective.
7. Consider submissions made by relevant stakeholders and agree how this can be incorporated into the National Hearing Care Plan, as appropriate.
8. Develop a National Hearing Care Plan which ensures appropriate regard to. and is informed by. the WHO World Report on Hearing.
9. Provide regular updates as required, including preliminary recommendations for consideration.
10. Provide advice regarding the potential for, and impediments to, the operational implementation of any recommendations that come under consideration.
11. Present a draft costed Hearing Care Plan and a recommended prioritisation framework to the Minister for Health for approval, after appropriate incorporation of feedback from relevant stakeholders.
The Working Group will ensure the following during its work:
[2] WHO recommended a package of interventions, including hearing screening and intervention; ear disease prevention and management; access to technologies; rehabilitation services; improved communication; noise reduction; and greater community engagement.
[3] Including agencies that represent patients and/or the parents/carers of patients.