Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for being here this evening from the Department of Health and Children. I was moved to put down this motion on the Adjournment due to the sad tale which I read in a letter sent to me yesterday. It was about a 16 year old girl who is suffering from severe scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. She has been to her local doctor and her consultant in Crumlin Hospital. He works in that hospital and in the Blackrock Clinic. The parents were told that her curvature was above 45 degrees and that she would need surgery as the curve progresses with time. The consultant carried out a full day of tests on her and the parents were informed that it would take up to 18 months for this girl to have her operation through the public system, and a similar length of time in the private system.

The parents, the consultant and her local doctor feel that this should not be the case. She is a young girl and has been very active in athletics. She was into gymnastics, basketball, Gaelic football and has national medals in trampolining. She is now in transition year at school. At her age, the curvature develops very rapidly and the young girl could find herself misshapen. The operation in question would be much more difficult at a later stage than if it were done now.

I put down this matter without much hope that it would be taken on the Adjournment, but I ask the Minister of State to convey the following urgent message. Any young person diagnosed with severe scoliosis should have his or her operation carried out with the least delay possible. I hope that in replying, the Minister of State will be able to provide a positive direction for this young girl.

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