Vol. 495 No. 1
241 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board region; the average waiting time for this treatment; and the proposals, if any, he has, to reduce the waiting list. [19095/98]
The provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in the Western Health Board area and the maintenance of waiting lists is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board.
I have been advised by the Western Health Board that the number of patients on the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment is 3,598. A further 125 are awaiting assessment and will be placed on treatment waiting lists if their treatment need is in accordance with my Department's guidelines.
Category A cases, the category of greatest severity, receive immediate treatment. There is an average waiting time of two and two and a half years for persons on treatment waiting lists.
At the suggestion of my Department, an orthodontic review group has been set up by the health boards to prepare a report and make recommendations on the orthodontic services. This group is due to report to the chief executive officers of the health boards in the near future.
