Vol. 536 No. 4
142 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people awaiting orthodontic treatment, by category, in each health board region; and if he will make a statement on the length of the waiting list per category. [14406/01]
The provision of orthodontic treatment is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
I recognise that the waiting times for orthodontic treatment are unacceptably long. Following recommendations in the Moran report, entitled Review of Orthodontic Services, structural changes are being introduced in orthodontic services. These structural 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. 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 chief executive officers of the health boards have informed me that the number of patients awaiting assessment and treatment in their areas of responsibility at 31 of March 2001 were as follows:
|
Health Board |
Assessment Waiting ListWaiting Time (Months) |
Treatment Waiting ListWaiting time (Months) |
||
|
ERHA |
10,505 |
Up to 72 |
950 |
24 |
|
Midland |
35 |
3 |
153 |
15 |
|
Mid-Western |
2,050 |
24-30 |
1,512 |
24-36 |
|
North-Eastern |
Nil |
N/A |
813 |
24-30 |
|
North-Western |
390 |
4 |
2,351 |
32-43 |
|
South-Eastern |
271 |
2.5 |
576 |
15 |
|
Southern |
5,000 |
Varies according to date of birth – children born in June 1987 presently being assessed |
4,500 |
48 |
|
Western |
606 |
3-6 |
2,031 |
42-48 |
|
Totals |
18,857 |
12,886 |
143 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of orthodontists in the north west region; the current arrangements which exist on a cross-Border basis to deal with the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/01]
The provision of orthodontic treatment in the north west region is the responsibility of the North-Western Health Board in the first instance.
I am informed by the chief executive officer of the NWHB that there is currently one part-time consultant orthodontist, one specialist orthodontic registrar and one part-time senior dental surgeon employed in the board's orthodontic service. The board has received a recommendation from the Local Appointments Commission in respect of the appointment of a permanent consultant orthodontist.
144 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports for a person to obtain private orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14408/01]
The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
As part of the orthodontic initiative, the Department has approved a proposal from the 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 at which time its operation will be reviewed.
A working group established to report on the implementation of the scheme in the board is currently continuing its work to finalise the scheme.
I understand that tax relief on the cost of private orthodontic treatment is currently available.
