Vol. 514 No. 5
154 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been on the Eastern Health Board waiting list for orthodontic treatment; when he will receive this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Wicklow 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 this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
155 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been on the Eastern Health Board waiting list for orthodontic treatment; when she will receive this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4677/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Wicklow 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 this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
156 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been on the Eastern Health Board waiting list for orthodontic treatment; when he will receive this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4678/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Wicklow 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 this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
157 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow have been on the Eastern Health Board waiting list for orthodontic treatment; when they will receive this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4679/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Wicklow 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 these cases and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
158 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if children waiting for orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Health Board area, who are not being treated due to a dispute, will be seen in neighbouring health board areas. [4680/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Eastern Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board.
The Eastern Health Board has been experiencing difficulties in the provision of orthodontic services in their regional orthodontic unit at 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 orthodontist's refusal to provide guidance to dental clinicians regarding orthodontic procedures. The consultant orthodontist's actions led to her suspension from duty without pay with effect from 4 November 1999.
At the request of the Eastern Health Board, my predecessor in office recently terminated the suspension of the consultant orthodontist in question. I understand from the board that the consultant orthodontist recently resumed duty. The board will endeavour to ensure that patients will be seen from the waiting list as soon as possible.
