Vol. 534 No. 3
175 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the waiting list for orthodontic treatment within County Kerry; the number on the list; the steps he intends taking to reduce the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10645/01]
The provision of orthodontic services in County Kerry is the responsibility of the Southern Health Board in the first instance.
Following recommendations in the Moran Report Review of Orthodontic Services structural changes are being introduced into the orthodontic services. These changes include the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics, the development of specialist training programmes and the creation of a grade of auxiliary dental worker to work in the orthodontic area. 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. Additional funding of £5.3 million has 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.
The Southern Health Board's proposals include the recruitment of two additional consultant orthodontists, the commissioning of four additional orthodontic chairs in the orthodontic unit in St. Finbarr's Hospital, the development of new orthodontic units in Tralee and North Cork and the validation of waiting lists. These proposals will double the capacity of the orthodontic services and reduce waiting times to under 12 months in the Southern Health Board.
I am informed by the chief executive of the SHB that there are currently 9,500 patients awaiting orthodontic treatment. However, the number of patients awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kerry is not available as information relating to orthodontic waiting lists is not maintained on a geographical basis by the board.
