Vol. 433 No. 3
66 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health the waiting period and the number of people awaiting orthodontic treatment in the North-Western Health Board area at present; if he has satisfied himself with the service provided; and the steps, if any, he plans to introduce in order to reduce the number on the waiting list and shorten the waiting period.
There have been considerable improvements in recent years in the provision of orthodontic services by the North-Western Health Board with the assistance of special allocations for the development of the services made by my Department to the board. A new consultant orthodontist was approved by the board in 1992. A new orthodontic unit was completed at Sligo General Hospital in the same year. Planning of orthodontic facilities at Letterkenny General Hospital is also at an advanced stage and some additional funds for the future improvement of the services were recently allocated.
According to information furnished to me by the North-Western Health Board a total of 1,115 persons are currently on the boards waiting list for the provision of orthodontic treatment.
The waiting period for each case depends on the category in which they are assessed by the consultant orthodontist. I have asked the health board to supply more detailed information to the Deputy on average waiting times as a matter of urgency.
