HSE challenged on special needs patients

THERE has been considerable discussion recently over the failure of HSE South to provide general anaesthetic facilities to adult patients with special needs. This problem has been ongoing for almost 12 months.

The University Dental School and Hospital have clearly indicated that they do not wish to continue providing this service and that must be accepted by HSE management.

The HSE has full theatre facilities, trained anaesthetists, trained and experienced nursing staff, as well as many dentists trained in the treatment of patients with special needs. For HSE management to continue to be incapable of providing appropriate treatment services for this group of patients is not only unfair and unacceptable for the patients and the parents themselves, but it is bordering on neglect.

Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin should be congratulated for supporting as many of these parents and patients as possible.

However, he must also ensure that his parliamentary colleagues and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children use their positions to force local HSE management to look beyond the dental hospital for the provision of treatment for this special group of patients.

Ian O’Dowling

Consultant Orthodontist

St Finbarr’s Hospital

Douglas Road

Cork