Miss Michelle Chacksfield1, Dr. Victoria Carter1, Dr. Mathew Wallis1, Dr Rajesh Gollapalli1, Michelle Cao1, Lydia Black1, Julie Thompson1, Estelle Allie1, Keeley Moffett1, Nicole Zawadski1, Tania Rowe1, Dr Marie Rauter1, Andre Arias Stannard1
1Tasmanian Health Service – Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
The purpose of this presentation is to present outcomes from the THS Paediatric Hearing Loss multidisciplinary clinic, 18 months on.
THS Statewide Audiology Service provides the Tasmanian Infant Hearing Screening Program and Infant Diagnostic Audiology services throughout Tasmania via a mix of in person and telehealth appointments. In order to perform medical investigations in a timely manner and minimise travel and number of referrals required, the Paediatric Hearing Loss multidisciplinary clinic based at the Royal Hobart Hospital was created in May 2021.
The Paediatric Hearing Loss clinic includes Paediatrician/ENT/Clinical Geneticist/Genetic Counsellor/Audiologist & Family Support team, allowing families in Tasmania to access these services in the one clinic, via in person or telehealth which has reduced travel and the need for multiple referrals to multiple specialists.
The clinic accepts referrals for infants or children diagnosed with permanent hearing loss and follows the CHAMP guidelines regarding medical investigations for these children, co-ordinating care for over 50 children statewide since the clinic was created and streamlining access to MRI/CT scans.
Biography:
Dr Victoria Carter is a Paediatrician at the Royal Hobart Hospital
Dr Mathew Wallis is a Clinical Geneticist at the Royal Hobart Hospital
Dr Rajesh Gollapalli is an Ear, Nose Throat specialist at the Royal Hobart Hospital
Michelle Chacksfield is the Discipline Lead of the THS-Statewide Audiology Service which includes the Tasmanian Infant Hearing Screening Program, Diagnostic Audiology and the Tasmanian Cochlear Implant Program.