Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important Topical Issue matter, which relates to children with the life-altering condition of scoliosis. This continues to be a very significant issue, despite promises made over a span of six years.

In 2017, the Department of Health made a commitment that children with scoliosis would not have to wait longer than four months for a crucial surgery that can transform their lives. However, it has now been many years since the initial promise was made in these Houses to reduce these agonising wait times.

In my constituency of Mayo, several children are still awaiting surgery well beyond the promised four-month period and I have spoken to many of these parents and children. One such case is a 13-year-old, Leah Heenan from Toormakeady, and I know that Leah and her family are tuned in to the Oireachtas tonight to listen to this debate. Leah has been waiting anxiously for the past three years for spinal fusion surgery that would give her the chance to reclaim her life. Leah was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of ten and since then, she and her parents have made the arduous journey to Dublin on numerous times each year. Initially, she was given a body brace but she has outgrown that now. The paediatric consultant and orthopaedic surgeon in Dublin assured her that the surgery will take place once a bed was available. Unfortunately, to date no bed has been found and her surgeon has now stated that he is too busy, requiring her to be referred to another specialist.

This means that the family must endure the lengthy process of pre-operative checks once again, which is both time-consuming and physically draining, considering the distance between Mayo and Dublin.

Meanwhile, Leah is on the verge of transitioning from primary school to secondary school, moving from her village to a nearby town for her education. Her parents had hoped that her surgery would be complete before this transition but the chances of that happening now seem slim. Indeed, the family themselves are calling the hospital on a daily basis, desperately seeking answers on this important matter.

Unfortunately, most of the time, their calls go unanswered due to the immense pressures faced by these medical professionals and their staff. The HSE has informed Leah's family that it is unable to provide a scheduled date or timeframe for her surgery and they have been advised that if her medical condition worsens while waiting, they should inform her consultant.

However, Leah cannot even secure an appointment to be fitted with a more suitable body brace as her spinal deformity continues to deteriorate.

Just a month ago, a scathing and devastating report from the Ombudsman for Children highlighted the case of a 17-year-old, Ivy, who endured five-year wait for similar surgery. The report recommended that Children's Health Ireland, CHI, conduct an audit of waiting lists for children with scoliosis care and implement reform such as allowing patient care and reviews to be initiated by parents, their families, GPs and others involved in their care. We must now learn from Ivy's story to ensure that children like Leah in Tooramakeady receive the help they desperately need.

The Minister of State has probably received a response from the Department of Health and I thank him for being here in the Chamber tonight. Can he provide some clarity about when children like Leah will no longer have to endure waiting periods exceeding three years for this life-changing surgery? It is crucial that we take immediate action to address the pressing issues and alleviate the suffering of these vulnerable children.

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