Review focuses on one audiologist

A REVIEW of audiology services in the Health Service Executive South (HSE) is focusing on one clinician despite the involvement of a second audiologist in a misdiagnosis.

Yesterday the HSE said the type of review now under way, which involves the recall of 1,231 children and adults, was prompted “by patterns of clinical practice that cause concern”.

A statement from the HSE said the “pattern of concern” in the current review “relates to one individual clinician only”.

When asked why the second audiologist was not also under review, the HSE said: “Individual mistakes/complaint/errors do not prompt reviews but are fully looked into and any remedial action necessary is taken as a matter of routine.” The audiologist in question has since left the service.

The revelation that a second audiologist from the Cork Audiology Service (CAS) — which operates clinics in Cork, Kerry and Limerick — was involved in a misdiagnosis emerged after a family whose daughter had been assessed by the CAS contacted the Irish Examiner.

Monica and Mark White, whose two-year-old daughter Hannah was diagnosed with mild hearing loss and was subsequently found to be profoundly deaf, said they were unhappy that the review was focusing on one individual.

“We believe the entire system needs to be reviewed at every level. There are more issues that need to be addressed than the work of one audiologist,” Mr White said.

On Wednesday of this week, letters were sent out to 1,231 children and adults, the majority of them children, inviting them for repeat hearing tests.

The HSE has stressed the tests are precautionary and that the probability of identifying undiagnosed hearing loss is anticipated to be low.

The HSE instigated the recall after concerns were raised by a clinician working in the CAS about incomplete patient charts, making it difficult to determine whether patients had received appropriate treatment and referrals.

The HSE is proceeding with a National Needs Assessment of Audiology Services, which will be informed by the CAS review. It is being led by the HSE’s Primary Continuing Care Directorate and will examine current need for services, current provision and supply of professional staff.

lHSE helpline no: 1850241850.