asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in giving treatment to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and when this treatment will be available, given the age of the person concerned and the condition of his teeth.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment.
113.
The Eastern Health Board, having regard to the resources available for the dental services, gives priority for routine dental treatment to children attending national school, to eligible nursing and expectant mothers, and to disabled, elderly and handicapped persons. The names of applicants from categories other than those referred to are placed on waiting lists to be referred for treatment when resources become available. The Eastern Health Board continue to provide emergency treatment for the relief of pain to persons in all categories.
The Eastern Health Board have indicated that they are not in a position to state when treatment can be provided in this case.
114.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in giving dental treatment to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and when this treatment will be provided.
The person in question is awaiting orthodontic treatment and was assessed by the Eartern Health Board's visiting orthodontist on 23 November 1988, following which his name was placed on the board's waiting list for orthodontic treatment. The Eastern Health Board are making every effort to improve the availability of orthodontic treatment for those on the waiting list.
I was pleased to announce recently that the Government have made an additional £300,000 available to the health board orthodontic service. This will permit orthodontic treatment to begin immediately on 500 top priority cases drawn from the eight health boards. I am aware that there is a need to provide further additional funds for the health board dental services and, taking into account the available resources and the health care priorities, will bring about an improvement in the health board dental service, including the orthodontic service, as soon as possible.
115.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in treating a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for a tonsillectomy; and when this treatment will be given.
116.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in treating a person (details supplied) in Country Dublin for a tonsillectomy; and when this treatment will be available.
117.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in treating a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for a tonsillectomy; and when this treatment will be available.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 117 together.
I would like to explain that the admission of a patient to hospital is a matter for clinical decisions of the consultant concerned and the hospital authority. Non-urgent elective cases may be put on a waiting list to ensure that emergency and urgent cases can be dealt with promptly. I would suggest to the Deputy that if the patient's condition has deteriorated he should return to his general practitioner who would be in the best position to assess and then, if necessary, to stress the urgency of the case to the consultant concerned.
I allocated an additional £250,000 to Temple Street Hospital in order to significantly increase the level of service available there. This included £50,000 which has permitted the treatment of an additional 200 cases to date and it is hoped to do a further 50 before the end of this year. I also allocated £50,000 for ENT equipment. The remaining £150,000 has also allowed beds to be reopened and an additional 250 patients to be treated. The hospital regards the reduction of the waiting list for ENT as its immediate priority. I expect that significant progress can be made in regard to clearing the waiting list in the coming months.