Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive an orthodontic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36923/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork referred to Cork University Hospital in January 2011 for orthopaedic treatment will be given an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies - mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.