Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. Despite the additional capacity to be provided this year, the number of surgeries at Crumlin hospital will still fall short of what is required to deal with demand. The Health Service Executive is working with Crumlin Hospital and the children's hospital group to explore all options to increase capacity for spinal surgery.

The Deputy and I both understand that a structure for emergency surgery cannot be easily put in place, even if cases involving persons with a curvature of 70 degrees cannot be delayed any longer. The issue is much more serious. The new consultant posts in Galway and Cork and the opening of beds in Cappagh Hospital will contribute to addressing the problem, as will the provision of additional support staff such as nurses and anaesthetists. Given the type of surgery involved, which takes a long time, the role of the anaesthetist is as important as that of the surgeon. We are not dismissing this issue and we know full well how important and urgent it is. I hope considerable improvements will be made in the next few months.

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