Vol. 415 No. 8
101 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health when he anticipates that the thousands of young people currently on the Eastern Health Boards orthodontic waiting list will receive treatment as it would seem at present that for some there could be lengthy delays.
267 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health when he anticipates the thousands of young people currently on the Eastern Health Board's orthodontic waiting list will receive treatment as it would seem at present that for some there could be long delays.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 267 together.
102 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting orthodontic treatment in the South-Eastern Health Board area; and the average waiting time.
While there has been a significant improvement in the level of orthodontic services in the South Eastern Health Board as a result of the additional money, made available by the Government, waiting lists for treatment are still at an unacceptable level. This position is expected to improve however with the appointment of a full-time consultant orthodontist in mid-year.
At the end of 1991 there were 2,165 patients undergoing specialist treatment and there were 1,643 on the waiting lists for such treatment. Waiting lists at present range from six weeks to over two years depending on the severity of the condition.
