Vol. 519 No. 1
129 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children currently awaiting treatment in orthodontics in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area; the average waiting time for each category list of patients; and the reason parents receive no information on the likely timeframe for orthodontic treatment for their children. [13195/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment and the maintenance of waiting lists in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area are the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
I have had inquiries made of that health authority. The following is the information requested by the Deputy:
|
Awaiting Assessment and Treatment |
Average waiting time |
|
|
Category 1 |
338 |
1 year |
|
Category 2 |
9,763 |
5 years |
130 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children about the placement of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 on the orthodontic treatment waiting list; the length of time he will have to wait for necessary treatment in view of the fact that he was assessed as requiring category two treatment over four years ago. [13196/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in Dublin 13 is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, I have asked the regional chief executive of that health authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
131 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the orthodontic treatment service for children has collapsed in the Dublin region in view of the fact that parents have been informed that no new patients have been treated this year; and the steps he will take to deal with the four and five year backlogs of children awaiting treatment. [13197/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Dublin area is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
Difficulties were encountered in the latter part of 1999 and early 2000 in the regional orthodontic unit at St. James's Hospital which caused the cancellation of routine orthodontic appointments. These difficulties have been resolved and an action plan is being implemented to address the needs of all affected patients.
Developments currently under way in relation to the orthodontic services include: the recruitment of two additional consultant orthodontists, the recruitment of a number of dentists with orthodontic qualifications, the development of a new regional orthodontic unit at St. Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown and the development of a new regional orthodontic unit at Beaumont Hospital.
