Vol. 481 No. 2
114 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time in the Western Health Board area to have patients called for orthodontic treatment; and the steps, if any, his Department is taking to have this waiting period reduced. [15892/97]
The provision of orthodontic services to eligible children in the Western Health Board area and the maintenance of the waiting list is the statutory responsibility of the health board. Because of the high cost of providing orthodontic treatment it is important that resources be used to best advantage and for those most severely affected-handicapped. Patients are, therefore, assessed for treatment in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department and placed on waiting lists in descending order of severity-handicap.
I have been advised by the Western Health Board that there is no waiting period for category A patients, which are the cases of greatest need, seeking orthodontic treatement. The average waiting period for orthodontic treatment in category B is currently 22 months.
The consultant orthodontist in charge of the orthodontic department in the Western Health Board as well as one other member of the orthodontic staff of the department resigned last year. This put a heavy burden on the department. The situation was then made more acute by the recent illness of another staff member. A new consultant orthodontist has now commenced work with the board. The board has also been successful in the recruitment of another staff member who has commenced work in the orthodontic department. The board hopes, as a result, that a significant impression will be made on the waiting lists.
