Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1407. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will invoke his statutory powers to ensure that the HSE orthodontic training report 2015 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Orthodontic Lookback Review commissioned by the HSE in 2015 following receipt of a ‘statement of concern’ in relation to an orthodontic service serving the Greater Dublin Area between 1999 and 2002. This review was, in effect, a scoping report commissioned to advise the HSE on what actions should be taken to determine if there was a risk of harm to patients in this case.
Since receipt of that report the HSE initiated a comprehensive audit of over 7,500 patient files available from that period. The audit and clinical review of relevant patient files from the period was completed in 2020. The HSE has issued correspondence to all of the patients identified as requiring recall and the process of engagement with these patients is ongoing.
The HSE advises that a draft report has been submitted to the Commissioner, the HSE National Director Community Operations. Once the Commissioner has accepted the report, and patients have been engaged with and provided with a copy, the report will be made available to stakeholders.
Any decision regarding publication is a matter for the HSE.
