В Ирландии сокращение сроков аудиологических обследований для детей с 71 до 6 недель

Audiology waits slashed for children from Cavan and Monaghan to six weeks Children across Cavan and Monaghan are receiving audiology assessments significantly sooner after a new integrated service reduced waiting times from 71 weeks to just six weeks. The number of children aged between four and 17 years waiting for an assessment has also fallen dramatically, from 159 to just 17 in less than a year, a HSE press release has confirmed. The improvement follows the introduction of a shared model of care, bringing hospital and community teams together to operate as a single co-ordinated audiology service. The new pathway includes shared waiting-list management, streamlined referral processes, dedicated clinics, improved scheduling and closer collaboration between clinical and administrative staff. As a result, children with hearing concerns are being assessed more quickly, while those who require further support can move faster to the next stage of their care. HSE Head of Service for the Cavan Monaghan Integrated Healthcare Area, Caralyn Horne, said the changes are having a direct impact on local families. “Reducing the longest wait from 71 weeks to six weeks is a major achievement for children and families,” she said. Ms Horne said earlier assessments give parents greater certainty and allow any additional support needs to be identified sooner. “By working as one service, we have been able to improve access and help children get the care they need more quickly,” she added. Prior to the introduction of the integrated pathway, rising demand, workforce vacancies and separate referral arrangements had contributed to long waiting times for paediatric audiology assessments. The new model was developed through collaboration between Monaghan Hospital Audiology, Cavan Monaghan Community Audiology Services, ENT services, outpatient departments, administrative teams and local management. As part of the initiative, waiting lists were reviewed and aligned, dedicated clinics for children aged four years and older were introduced and appointments were scheduled chronologically to support fair and timely access. The Cavan Monaghan pathway is being highlighted as an example of how closer integration between hospital and community services can improve access to care, reduce duplication and maximise capacity. Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Cavan Monaghan, Dervila Eyres, said: “This has been a real team effort across our hospital and community services.” She said better coordination had improved the flow of children through the service while making the best use of available resources. “Most importantly, children and families are now being seen much sooner,” said Ms Eyres. She added that work is already underway on the next phase of the project. “We are building on this progress to improve access for younger children who need specialist testing,” she said.