Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1189. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the long waiting lists for children with scoliosis for their first appointment with an orthopaedic consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27741/23]
View answerI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to implement the plan.
This funding is providing additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enabling further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital or Cappagh Kids.
The additional activity is targeted at reducing the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida).
As of the 30th of December 2022, 509 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 380 for the same period in 2019 a 34% increase and an increase of 47% compared to 2021.
Children’s Health Ireland and Cappagh Kids continue to work to explore new innovative ways of working and develop initiatives to support additional orthopaedic and scoliosis activity.
The hospitals are working together to do as much as possible for patients. As of the 30th of December, Cappagh completed 549 (non-complex) orthopaedic surgeries and 68 surgeries for Spina Bifida patients transferred from CHI exceeding the target of 61 for the year.
Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022 corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increase in demand and referrals compared to previous years with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021. CHI believes this is due to a loss of additional capacity elsewhere and latent Covid-19 demand via increased outpatient activity.
CHI is currently finalising a plan for 2023 to continue and build on the work done in 2022. Activity in May included 15 spinal fusion procedures carried out by Crumlin, 1 in Temple Street and 4 outsourced to the private sector. In the same period 11 spinal other procedures were carried out in Crumlin and 6 in Temple Street.
