§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what plans there are to implement the recommendations of the Poswillo report on the use of general anaesthesia, sedation and resuscitation in dentistry in Northern Ireland; and what funds will be allocated to support their implementation.
§ Mr. HanleyThe level of general anaesthesia in Northern Ireland is four times that in England and as a result the cost of implementing the Poswillo report in the Province will be relatively high. It has not been possible to earmark resources specifically for this purpose in 1992–93.
The health and social services boards, however, will be asked to implement the recommendations of the report, as resources permit, giving priority to the hospital and community dental services. General dental practitioners will be invited to refer patients to the community dental service where appropriate, until resources become available for the requisite investment in the general dental service.