Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Topical Issue matter is about the long, outstanding waiting lists for orthodontic treatment. It is regrettable that each time I face somebody from the Department of Health, it is on an issue of long, outstanding waiting lists or on difficulty with the service in general, which is a shame. We know that this subject was very well captured in the recent documentary on RTE, especially around the waiting lists. I spoke in the Chamber a few months ago about the waiting lists for adult spinal surgery being completely unacceptable, as are the associate problems for persons whose treatment is regarded as urgent. After 18 months they are still waiting for their procedure. The disappointing element is that a number of months on there is no change in that situation, despite the promises and commitment given in the House on that occasion a number of months ago. We must get real about bringing solutions to deliver where there are recognised problems.

I have a number of cases from my constituency of Kildare North and from speaking with my colleagues in other constituencies where the orthodontic waiting lists are going out of control. I have examples with me of cases of people who were seen back in 2013 and 2014. They were recognised at that stage as being very urgent. Here we are three years on, and in some cases four years on, and these people are still on a waiting list with no date for treatment or surgery for whatever work needs to be carried out regarding their orthodontic problems. That is completely unacceptable.

I know the Minister of State will probably agree with me, and the Department and Ministers do agree with me and my colleagues in the House when we say it is unacceptable. The Minister for Health said after the "RTE Investigates" documentary programme that he was "ashamed" and "heartbroken", and I am sure he does feel that, but those words are of little use or of any assistance to the people on these waiting lists. There are teenagers on the waiting lists, adolescents who may be in the middle of State mock exams and heading into their leaving certificate or junior certificate exams. They may be trying to plan to go away and work for the summer but their lives are on hold because they do not know if and when they are going to get this important and very necessary treatment that has been suggested after a diagnosis by professionals. That is wrong. It leads to all sorts of problems such as social issues, and in some cases bullying. In one case, one of my constituents is reluctant to go to school because of the difficulties and problems they face. It is completely unacceptable three and four years on from when they were first diagnosed in a consultation and treatment was prescribed that it has not been carried out.

I note that from the same documentary programme the HSE has acknowledged that it hopes to have waiting lists down to a maximum of 18 months by the end of June 2017. Given that this is just four and a half months away, how realistic is this hope? I have a number of cases with me right now that have not yet received a date for treatment. Is that an opportune response by the HSE or is it a real response to the waiting lists? Can I tell my constituents and their families that they are going to have an appointment and their treatment will be carried out before the end of June 2017? That is what it comes down to. We must see results and we have to get outcomes. We can no longer speak about the issues. We must see delivery and the public has to see an improvement and a better service. Four years is not acceptable to be on a waiting list for any treatment.

See this speech in context