Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not give figures for waiting lists, but I will. Waiting list figures at the end of August show that there are 188 patients on the waiting list for spinal surgery, of whom 109 are awaiting a spinal fusion. A total of 90 of the patients are actively waiting; 14 are come-ins, which means that they have a date for surgery; 40 have had surgery suspended; while 44 are on a planned procedure list. This represents a reduction from a figure of 299 last year, but it is still far too many. I am sure many of us in the House have worked with the families of children with scoliosis who need a spinal fusion procedure or rod extension, are waiting and should not be, given the fact that they are growing and need the extensions. I do not need to be told how difficult this is for families, with whom I have worked, as has the Deputy. What we need is a system that can provide services for all families in a much more effective and timely manner than is the case. The Minister for Health is setting about doing this and prioritising it in terms of a policy change and financial commitment.

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