Vol. 512 No. 6
209 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when a replacement orthodontic consultant will be appointed to the regional orthodontic unit at St. James's hospital, Dublin 8 (details supplied); when a person (details supplied) be assessed for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26600/99]
The Eastern Health Board has been experiencing difficulties in the provision of services in its regional orthodontic department in St. James's hospital over the past few months. I understand from the board that these difficulties were caused by the consultant orthodontist's unilateral decision to withdraw from the provision of orthodontic assessments, orthodontic opinions and the commencement of orthodontic appliance therapy for new patients. The position was exacerbated by the withdrawal of consultant cover and the consultant's orthodontist's refusal to provide guidance to dental clinicians regarding orthodontic procedures.
Despite negotiations and discussions at the highest level the consultant orthodontist persistently refused to provide services as outlined above. I understand that the consultant orthodontist's actions led to her suspension from duty without pay with effect from 4 November 1999.
Since her suspension, there has been on-going communication between health board senior management and the consultant orthodontist's representatives to see if the difficulties encountered could be overcome to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. In the interim, the board is making every effort to procure consultant cover to facilitate the full restoration of orthodontic services.
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in Dublin is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the position in relation to the individual case referred to and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
