From November 7th, 2011, babies born at Waterford and Wexford Regional Hospitals can have free newborn hearing tests, in an opt-in programme that is also available to babies born outside of hospital in Waterford.
These new hospital newborn hearing test programmes, costing in the region of €1.1 million annually, are part of the HSE’s Newborn Hearing Screening Programme for the entire HSE South region, for early 2012 (encompassing Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford).
The HSE is investing €11 million annually in audiology services, with an additional €3.7 million in 2011 to improve care pathways. By November 2011, South Tipperary General Hospital was to offer UNHS, the South Tipp Today newspaper reported in June, but this roll-out may now be delayed.
Once the HSE South region completes its UNHS rollout, over 17,000 babies will be screened per year at the region’s six maternity hospitals – including babies born outside of hospital. The UK public-services firm, Northgate, has a two-year contract to manage the HSE’s UNHS programmes in Ireland.
Further Reading
- Waterford Regional Hospital Next In UNHS Line
- Cork University Maternity Hospital Begins UNHS
- Publication of HSE South Audiology Review, 2009
- UNHS: Obligatory, Voluntary Or Not Necessary?
