asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are awaiting dental treatment, optical treatment, ENT treatment and hip operations in the constituency of south Tipperary; their age group; the length of time they are awaiting treatment; the reason for the delay involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - South Tipperary Health Services.
41.
The health board does not keep statistical data on a constituency basis.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to dental and opthalmic services in respect of the south Tipperary community care area is not available in respect of different age groups and can only be broken down between children and adults. The information is as follows:—
|
Dental Services — Adults |
|
|
Number awaiting treatment |
1,278 |
|
Average waiting time |
13 months |
|
Dental Services — Children |
|
|
Number awaiting treatment |
597 |
|
Average waiting time |
4 weeks |
|
Ophthalmic Services — Adults |
|
|
Number awaiting treatment |
351 |
|
Average waiting time |
10 weeks |
|
Ophthalmic Services — Children |
|
|
Number awaiting treatment |
49 |
|
Average waiting time |
6 weeks |
The waiting time for dental treatment for children and the waiting times for ophthalmic services for adults and children are not considered to be excessive.
The delay in the provision of dental treatment for adults is due to the limited funds which the health board can make available for the services of dentists in private practice.
There are 172 persons from south Tipperary who are awaiting ENT treatment at Waterford Regional Hospital, Ardkeen. Their age distribution is as follows:
|
Age |
Number of Persons |
|
Under 10 years |
69 |
|
10-20 years |
48 |
|
20-60 years |
52 |
|
Over 60 years |
3 |
The average waiting period for these patients is of the order of 12 to 18 months. There are several reasons for the delay in having ENT patients treated in Ardkeen hospital including the heavy work-load of the two consultants involved.
There are ten persons from south Tipperary who are awaiting hip replacement operations in Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilkenny. These persons are aged between 55 and 75 years. Six of these patients have been on the waiting list for less than three months. I do not consider these waiting periods to be excessive. The remaining four patients have been on the waiting lists for periods in excess of one year but there are medical reasons why these patients have not been treated.