Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Funding has been provided to increase the capacity for additional consultants in order that even more procedures can be carried out in the hospital. The reconfiguration of the existing orthopaedic post in Crumlin hospital is being worked through the consultant appointment approval committee. Funding for an additional two new consultant posts for paediatric orthopaedics has been provided this year. Those posts are currently being processed and we expect that appointments will be made by the end of this year. These posts are allocated to Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals for paediatric orthopaedics in order that existing consultants can focus on spinal surgery services. The Mater Hospital has also been successful in the recruiting consultants ahead of profile.

We are making a lot of progress on this. I accept that children can often be clinically suitable for surgery one week, but because of the complexity of things can find themselves, on the basis of clinical advice, not being able to have surgery a week or two later, which causes significant difficulties and stress for families. For that reason, the scoliosis co-design team is working with three advocacy groups, the consultants and Mr. Brian O'Mahony as the independent chair, to come up with a pathway of care. It is the appropriate thing to do. I am confident that much good progress has been made in this area, but I am also confident that the solution will involve a sustainable service that will mean we do not have to rely on outsourcing. We should not just seek to fix the problem this year but ensure we are able to look after our children in this country. We are seeing a lot of progress in this area.

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