Vol. 437 No. 4
16 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has for the development of the orthodontic services in 1994; if he expects to reduce the waiting lists, if he intends to make any organisational changes to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The development of orthodontic services is an integral part of the Programme for Government and funds will be provided over the period of the programme for this purpose. This process has already commenced. In the current year an additional £0.7 million was made available to the health boards to enable them to improve their services, to allow them to develop orthodontic training programmes for dentists and to equip surgeries. In addition, approval has been given to the employment of a full-time orthodontic consultant in the Maxillofacial unit in St. James's Hospital. Overall six of the eight health boards employ full-time consultant orthodontists and efforts are being made by the North-Eastern and Midland Health Board to fill approved vacancies. This is a very significant improvement on the position which applied pre-1992 and is resulting in a corresponding improvement in service levels. Significant further progress needs to be made, however, and I am at present reviewing all aspects of the service to determine how this can be brought about.
