Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am acutely aware of the distress and inconvenience caused to patients and their families when urgent care is delayed and I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Sophie and the fact that she is waiting for her scoliosis operation. Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a key commitment of the Government. The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services remains a priority for the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and his Department. His officials continue to work closely with Children's Health Ireland and the wider HSE to improve access to treatment for children with scoliosis.

It is acknowledged, however, that the challenges faced by the health system in 2020 are unlike anything we have ever faced before. I am very aware of the impact that Covid-19 has had on our health service and the delivery of scoliosis services. Children's Health Ireland's commitment to prioritise spinal surgery and to find new ways to deliver care exemplifies the work undertaken by the HSE to provide care in a challenging Covid-19 environment.

Officials from my Department continue to engage on an ongoing basis with representatives of CHI and HSE officials to monitor scoliosis services, waiting lists and activity levels. I welcome the work undertaken to date by Children's Health Ireland to improve access to spinal surgery.

I reiterate that the Minister is aware of the parliamentary questions he has been asked and the public representations that have been made to him and his Department in respect of the specific patient referred to by the Deputy. Children's Health Ireland has advised the Department that the hospital is in ongoing contact with the family of the patient regarding the surgery. I hope for Sophie's sake that it happens very soon.

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