Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 7

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Nora Owen

Question:

83 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will provide the promised new orthodontic service in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that whilst the service is awaited people requiring treatment who reside in the northside of Dublin have to travel to St. James Hospital, Dublin 8 because the clinic in the North Strand, Dublin 3 is being closed down. [19212/97]

Tony Gregory

Question:

85 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will request the Eastern Health Board to ensure that the orthodontic clinic at North Strand Health Centre, Dublin 3 will remain open until an acceptable northside alternative has been established. [19251/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together.

The provision of orthodontic services to eligible children in the Dublin 3 area is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. I have been advised by the Eastern Health Board that the proposed regional orthodontic department at Beaumont Hospital could not be incorporated in the main building and it is now proposed to construct a free-standing building on an identified site. The Eastern Health Board and the board of Beaumont Hospital have identified a site within the campus of the hospital as suitable for the construction of a second regional orthodontic department. Work is now at the planning stage and the board proposes to commence construction in 1998.

The health board orthodontic services are currently being developed in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan. The action plan provides for the phased improvement of orthodontic treatment services through a consultant led orthodontic service in each health board.

In September 1996 the Eastern Health Board established the regional orthodontic department in St. James' Hospital. The orthodontic consultant and her staff based there provide orthodontic services for the Eastern Health Board region. The board is consolidating and extending its orthodontic services under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. A primary task of the consultant is to organise and co-ordinate orthodontic training to sub-consultant level for health board dental staff. This enables health boards to provide a greatly increased volume of service and a service of high quality.

Prior to the establishment of the regional orthodontic department in St. James' Hospital the Eastern Health Board provided orthodontic services on anad-hoc basis partly by the employment of private practitioners working three hour sessions in North Strand Health Centre.

As part of the service development the board intends to phase out sessional arrangements by private practitioners in North Strand Health Centre and assign patients on the waiting list to the regional orthodontic department at St. James' Hospital for assessment and treatment by the consultant and her staff. Satellite clinics of the regional orthodontic department will be held at North Strand Health Centre. The position regarding North Strand Health Centre will be kept under review as the services develop, particularly in relation to Beaumont Hospital.