Kids would wait 3wks for dental surgery

Health Minister Edwin Poots revealed the potential knock-on effect of the review on the Londonderry service in response to an Assembly Question.

UUP MLA Thomas Buchanan asked the Minister for his assessment of the “potential waiting times for children from the Omagh area if the service is withdrawn, considering that the current waiting times at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen and Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, exceed six weeks.”

Mr Poots replied: “I am advised by the Western Health and Social Care Trust that if a paediatric dental patient had to be referred to the Erne at present they would be offered an appointment within 2-3 weeks.

“If a paediatric dental patient had to be referred to Altnagelvin at present they would be offered an appointment within 3 weeks. The Trust is increasing the number of paediatric dental patients being seen on the current lists. They have an additional session in the Erne Hospital with the possibility of another additional session per month if required.”

He also explained: “WHSCT has advised that no paediatric services have been withdrawn from Tyrone County Hospital, however for reasons of patient safety day case paediatric surgery including dental surgery is currently the subject of review.

“The outcome of that review and any proposals for the future delivery of paediatric surgical and dental services will be shared with political representatives and interested parties and consultation will take place if required.”