Michael Ring
Question:112 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedure followed when an orthodontic appointment is postponed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21588/01]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
The provision of orthodontic treatment is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
The chief executive officers of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Midland, North-Eastern, North-Western, Southern and Western Health Boards have informed me that where an appointment is deferred, the patient is given the next available date for an appointment without affecting those already allocated appointments by the boards.
It has not been possible to obtain the required information from the Mid-Western and South Eastern health boards in the time available. I will write to the Deputy in this regard with the information from these boards.
Michael Ring
Question:113 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on waiting lists for orthodontic assessment in each health board area; and if he will give comparative figures for assessment waiting lists for the past three years. [21589/01]
The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
The chief executive officers of the health boards have informed me that the numbers of patients awaiting assessment in their areas of responsibility at the end of the June 2001 quarter were as follows:
|
Health Board |
Assessment Waiting List |
|
ERHA |
11,608 |
|
Midland |
148 |
|
Mid-Western |
3,308 |
|
North-Eastern |
Nil |
|
North-Western |
450 |
|
South-Eastern |
320 |
|
Southern |
5,500 |
|
Western |
676 |
|
Totals |
22,010 |
The executive officers of the health boards have also informed me of the following information on orthodontic assessment waiting lists for the past three years:
|
Health Board |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
EHB/ERHA |
10,985 |
Not available |
10,283 |
|
Midland |
709 |
502 |
407 |
|
Mid-Western |
Not available |
2,694 |
2,671 |
|
North-Eastern |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
North-Western |
Not available |
Not available |
380 |
|
South-Eastern |
Not available |
586 |
238 |
|
Southern* |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
Western |
442 |
387 |
509 |
*Approximate figures in respect of the Southern Health Board's assessment waiting list.