Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
611 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for orthodontic treatment and assessment in each health board area; the action he is taking to address these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/04]
View answerThe provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health authorities in the first instance. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have taken a number of measures to improve orthodontic services on a national basis. The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the health board orthodontic service. In 2003, my Department and the health boards funded 13 dentists from various health boards for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at three separate universities in the United Kingdom. These 13 trainees for the public orthodontic service are additional to the six dentists who commenced their training in 2001. Thus, there is an aggregate of 19 dentists in specialist training for orthodontics. These measures will complement the other structural changes being introduced into the orthodontic service, including the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area.
Furthermore, the commitment of the Department to training development is manifested in the funding provided to both the training of specialist clinical staff and the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics for the Cork Dental School. This appointment will facilitate the development of an approved training programme leading to specialist qualification in orthodontics. The chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board has reported that the professor commenced duty on 1 December 2003. In recognition of the importance of this post, my Department has given approval in principle to a proposal from the school to further substantially improve the training facilities there for orthodontics. This project should see the construction of a large orthodontic unit and support facilities. It will ultimately support an enhanced teaching and treatment service to the wider region under the leadership of the professor of orthodontics.
Orthodontic Initiative funding of €4.698 million was provided to the health authorities in 2001 and this has enabled health boards to recruit additional staff, engage the services of private specialist orthodontic practitioners to treat patients and build additional orthodontic facilities. In June 2002, my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health authorities specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. This funding is enabling boards to provide both additional sessions for existing staff and purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners. The chief executive officers of the boards have informed my Department of the following information on their treatment waiting lists at the end of March 2004:
|
Assessment Waiting List |
Treatment Waiting List |
||
|
Health Board |
Average Waiting Times (months) |
||
|
Category A |
Category B |
||
|
South Western Area |
3 — 6 |
< 10 |
< 12 |
|
East Coast Area |
< 3 |
< 6 |
< 18 |
|
Northern Area |
3 — 6 |
<12 |
< 24 |
|
Midland |
4 |
No waiting time |
14 |
|
Mid-Western |
24 — 36 |
No waiting time |
24 — 36 |
|
North Eastern |
No waiting time |
1.5 — 2 |
12 — 18 |
|
North Western |
4.5 |
20 |
30 |
|
South Eastern |
2 |
No waiting time |
20 |
|
Southern |
According to date of birth, currently 1990 |
No waiting time |
42 — 48 |
|
Western |
10 |
No waiting time |
42 |
Patients in category A require immediate treatment and include those with congenital abnormalities of the jaws such as cleft lip and palate, and patients with major skeletal discrepancies between the sizes of the jaws. Patients in category B have less severe problems than category A patients.
Finally, the chief executive officers of the health authorities have informed my Department that at the end of the March quarter 2004, there were 21,033 children receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means that there are nearly twice as many children getting orthodontic treatment as there are children waiting to be treated and almost 4,000 extra children are getting treatment from health boards since the end of 2001.
612 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances under which a person (details supplied) in County Sligo does not have access to their child; if his attention has further been drawn to the recommendation made by the person’s general practitioner that a further report should be prepared by the health board in respect of their having access to their child; the Government’s policy in relation to access being made available between fathers and children, if he has examined the file in this particular instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11974/04]
View answerResponsibility in this area rests primarily with the health boards. My Department has requested the chief executive officer of the North Western Health Board to reply directly to the Deputy.
613 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is being refused the cost of taxis to and from the warfarin clinic at the Mercy Hospital. [11976/04]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Cork area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Southern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.
