Vol. 518 No. 3
192 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he is taking to reduce the two year waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Midland Health Board area; if he has satisfied himself that a person (details supplied) will have to wait up to two years for treatment; and if he will invest heavily in this area and eliminate the list. [11703/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Midland Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of the Midland Health Board. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive officer of that board to investigate the position in relation to the provision of treatment for this person and to reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
Waiting lists for orthodontic treatment from the Midland Health Board are maintained by the health board. The most recent information available to me shows that on 21 March 2000 there were 474 children on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment and the average waiting time for treatment is 1.4 to 2.6 years.
I have allocated additional funding of £100,000 to the Midland Health Board this year on an ongoing basis to provide for the further development of orthodontic services.
The Moran report on the future development of orthodontic services was made to the chief executive officers of the health boards. There have been discussions between my Department and representatives of the chief executive officers on the report and its implications. Some interested parties have also commented on the report.
Many of the proposals in the report are being implemented as part of the dental health action plan while the implications of others are still being teased out with the health boards and other interests.
