HSE ‘sorry’ for poor audiology services
Parents to meet experts to discuss review findings
THE HSE has issued a ‘sincere apology’ to those affected by failures in the paediatric audiology services in Roscommon and Mayo – as a review revealed 33 children suffered additional hearing loss.
The investigation was ordered after concerns were raised over the work of one audiologist who worked in the Mayo-Roscommon area.
A statement released by the HSE said the concerns were over the standard of audiology assessments and hearing aid management for a number of children that did not meet HSE recommendations. It is understood the audiologist in question was suspended and no longer works in the Republic of Ireland.
Tony Canavan, the HSE’s chief officer of Community Healthcare West, said: ‘The review shows serious cause for concern about the quality of audiology services Statement: Tony Canavan in Mayo and Roscommon from April 2011 to February 2015. Some children have been affected due to shortcomings within the paediatric audiology service.’
Mr Canavan added that children were identified early in the process and that the shortcomings of the service were discussed with their parents. Each child who required a follow-up was prioritised and has either received or is receiving treatment.
‘On behalf of the HSE, I would like to offer a sincere apology for the failures identified. I want to acknowledge the anxiety that this has caused to the children and their families,’ said Mr Canavan.
‘Parents of the children affected have been invited to meet with a senior manager and a senior audiologist to discuss the findings of this report and be updated on their child’s care.’
The review covered the period from April 2011 to February 2015 and involved 995 children; 49 cases were identified for followup care. According to the HSE, 13 children were re-referred into the service after being re-tested and identified as having a hearing loss. An additional 20 children were re-tested and identified as having a new hearing loss.
A further 16 children with hearing aids were found to have received hearing aid management that ‘deviated significantly’ from National Audiology Review Group recommendations.
The HSE’s national clinical lead for audiology, Dr Gary Norman, said: ‘The HSE has offered and continues to make available individual management care plans, information and support to the families of these patients.’
Speaking on this issue yesterday, Minister for Health Simon Harris said: ‘Obviously when you look back, you do, sadly, find errors. It’s important that when you find these errors, the health service apologises, but more importantly, that swift action is taken in terms of trying to support the people impacted. That’s exactly what they’ve done.’
Fianna Fáil TD Eugene Murphy, who represents the RoscommonGalway constituency, said: ‘What good is an apology now to these families if their children had an increased risk of a missed diagnosis or may be left with life-long hearing impairments?’
‘What good is an apology now?’