Paul McGrath
Question:177 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the numbers awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Midland Health Board area; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce this waiting time.
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
There has been a significant improvement in the level of orthodontic services in the Midland Health Board area as a result of the additional moneys made available since 1990. A total of 1,023 children are currently undergoing specialist and primary orthodontic treatment.
The Midland Health Board were unsuccessful in appointing a consultant orthodontist and has made alternative arrangements with private specialists to provide orthodontic services. The board will again endeavour to fill the vacant post of consultant orthodontist in the near future.
According to a recent return made to my Department the position regarding orthodontic treatments in the Midland Health Board is as follows:
|
Numbers awaiting treatment |
Waiting period |
|
|
Category A |
0 |
No waiting |
|
(category of greatest severity) |
||
|
Category B |
701 |
12-18 months |
|
Category C |
— |
— |
Primary care orthodontic treatment is also provided by health board dental staff.
Paul McGrath
Question:178 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting hip operations in the Midland Health Board area; the average waiting time; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce this waiting time.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows.
There are currently 82 patients awaiting hip replacements in the Midland Health Board area. The average waiting time is approximately 12 months.
I am happy to inform the Deputy that my Department has approved the appointment of a third orthopaedic surgeon for the General Hospital in Tullamore who will be taking up appointment later this year. This appointment will considerably improve the orthopaedic services in the Midland Health Board area.
My Department has also approved the construction of an additional theatre suite which is essential to accommodate the workload of a third othhopaedic surgeon. The planning of the operating theatre is currently at the tender stage and it is hoped to commence construction later in the year.
I will announce my decision in regard to the allocation of the £20 million for waiting list initiatives in the coming weeks, and I will be considering the position of the Midland Health Board as sympathetically as possible.