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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

234 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made for assessment for orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who is on the waiting list for five years ten months; his views on this service; his views on whether the Eastern Regional Health Area are unable or incapable of providing a service; and if he will arrange for those over five years on the list to get immediate service either privately or through the Eastern Regional Health Area. [25244/00]

As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, I have asked the chief executive officer of the authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

As part of the Estimates for 2001 the following improvements are planned for the Eastern Regional Health Authority: the employment of a locum consultant orthodontist; the recruitment of two additional orthodontists on a permanent basis; the appointment of six community orthodontists (two in each area health board); contracting of services from private orthodontists at approved rates; recruitment of three clinicians with M. Orth. qualifications to fill the existing vacancies in the regional orthodontic unit at St James's Hospital; recruitment of three additional clinicians with M. Orth. qualification for the unit at St James's; recruitment of 12 nursing and nine administrative support staff for the additional clinicians as outlined above; the commissioning of five additional surgeries at St James's Hospital which will come on stream early in 2001; new regional orthodontic units are also being established at Beaumont and Loughlinstown. The unit at Loughlinstown is expected to be operational early in January next; existing waiting lists will be validated.

The authority is also pressing ahead with organisational changes in the orthodontic services. Orthodontics will be managed and operated in the region on the basis of three services, one in each area health board.

The combination of these developments should result in reduced waiting time and waiting lists for orthodontic services in the eastern region.

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