Media Release: SOUTHERN GETS $100,000 TO TACKLE DENTAL WAITING TIMES

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

DATE: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

SOUTHERN GETS $100,000 TO TACKLE DENTAL WAITING TIMES

Southern Health has been given $100,000 from the Brumby Government to tackle public dental waiting times.

Visiting the Springvale Community Health Centre as part of the Brumby Government’s EastLink Community Cabinet, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the funding will be used to identify and meet public demand for dental services at the Casey Community Health Service and Greater Dandenong Community Health Service.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure Victorians have access to high-quality health services close to home,” Mr Andrews said.

“Southern Health will use a new system, Advanced Access, to improve access for clients so they can see a dentist or other dental health professional at a time and date convenient to them.

“The system, developed in the UK, will provide more information about patient demand, so managers can tailor their services to better meet it.”

Mr Andrews said more than half the people who use Victoria’s public dental system are seen within 24 hours, and receive their care without having to be placed on the non-urgent waiting lists.

“The triage system ensures that people with real emergency dental needs are assessed within 24 hours, and priority groups, including children and teens, are also treated without going on the waiting lists,” he said

“The agencies will be able to better manage the course of care needed for patients, and increase their throughput.”

Mr Andrews said only about 15 per cent of eligible clients were waiting for public dental services at any time, and many of those who showed up on lists were patients who made a long-term forward booking at the completion of their previous course of treatment.

The Brumby Government committed $330.3 million to primary and dental health in this year’s Budget, a 5 per cent increase on the previous year, he said.