Vol. 531 No. 4
158 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in respect of efforts to reduce the waiting list for orthodontic treatment; the total number of children diagnosed as being in need of such treatment in each health board area; the length of time they have been on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6233/01]
Following recommendations in the Moran report – Review of Orthodontic Services – structural changes are being introduced in the orthodontic services. However, it will be some time before these structural changes impact significantly on service levels. Consequently, I asked health boards to develop proposals to make an immediate significant impact on their waiting lists. As a result, funds of £5.3 million have been provided for orthodontic services this year, of which £3.7 million is to fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This will enable health boards to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private practitioners to treat patients.
Based on the health boards' own submissions, I expect that this initiative will have a significant impact on orthodontic waiting lists and waiting times for treatment. The health boards have advised that the ultimate effect will be to increase the numbers in treatment by 5,500 per annum and to reduce waiting times for treatment significantly. Validation of existing waiting lists will be carried out.
The Department has approved a proposal from the Eastern Regional Health Authority – ERHA – for a grant in-aid scheme. Under the scheme, patients who meet the criteria laid down for non-urgent routine treatment will be given the option of availing of treatment from a private orthodontic practitioner. A grant of 50% of the board's overall estimated cost of treatment would be paid. Parents could also avail of income tax relief on the balance where appropriate. A grant of 100% of the board's estimated cost of treatment would be paid in respect of medical card holders. The scheme will operate on a pilot basis in the Northern Area Health Board for 12 months. A working group on the implementation of the scheme within the board is being established. The target date for the implementation of the pilot scheme is 1 April this year.
The most recent information on waiting lists received by my Department on 27 February 2001 is as follows:
|
Health Board |
Category I |
Category II |
Category IWaiting Time (Months) |
Category IIWaiting time (Months) |
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
332 |
10,749 |
18 |
42 |
|
Mid Western |
– |
1,488 |
– |
27.6 |
|
Midland* |
– |
407 |
– |
18 |
|
North Eastern* |
8 |
822 |
2 |
27 |
|
North Western* |
445 |
1,844 |
30 |
34 |
|
South Eastern |
– |
550 |
– |
12 |
|
Southern |
– |
4,500 |
– |
48 |
|
Western |
– |
2,183 |
– |
48 |
