Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the most pressing areas of the waiting lists. Children are waiting for orthopaedic surgery, whether spinal surgery or surgery for scoliosis, spina bifida, hip deformities or a range of other conditions. Some are being treated quickly, which is a great testament to our clinicians and health service, but far too many are having to wait for far too long. It is not acceptable now and has not been acceptable for years. Significant progress was being made in the treatment of scoliosis and spina bifida in 2019. The numbers waiting for far too long were coming down.

Obviously, the last two years made that very difficult. Last week I convened a meeting of the three hospitals involved, namely, Crumlin, Temple Street and Cappagh. I met the surgeons, hospital managers and the director of nursing. Some time ago I asked the HSE to put together a comprehensive solution for these children and their families. That is what we met to discuss last week. I then visited Cappagh on Friday, including Cappagh Kids. The hospital has really ambitious, interesting proposals for children and adolescent, and adult services in the from of high-dependency units, more beds and so forth. We have what I think is a very ambitious but very good plan in place. We are putting some final details on that but ultimately we need to ensure the capacity is in mainly Crumlin, Temple Street and Cappagh. Other hospitals can help but they are the three main places that will make sure these children get the care they need very quickly.

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