Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for sharing time with me. It is important I speak on this issue. Many Deputies have rightly spoken about the challenges faced by children in Temple Street hospital and those who are under the care of CHI and the certainty they need in terms of future procedures and operations. Those who were under private care of the consultant at the centre of this controversy and those who were being treated under that clinic are in just as uncertain a position. Many of them are completely unsure what the next steps are. I am seeking as much clarity as possible and for the those parents to be contacted, where applicable, to ensure they receive clarity.

Fachtna is 16 years old and from west Cork. I have full permission from his parents to speak about him. He has a rare condition called Perthes disease, which impacts on his hips. In essence, he is unable to walk, sleep or sit without severe pain in his hips. After many years of excruciating pain and after monumental efforts by his parents and family to get him treatment, Fachtna had a procedure on his right hip, which meant he was completely pain free. It worked. Now, only six months away from a second operation, to treat his left hip, everything is up in the air. There is so much uncertainty. The controversy in respect of CHI and Temple Street has hit and Fachtna and his parents have no idea where to go. I acknowledge that I am bringing this case to the Minister on the floor of the Dáil and I do not expect him to have an answer on this individual case, but I ask that somebody reach out to Fachtna and his mother to offer clarity in respect of where they go from here. He was six months out from a life-changing operation, having had one hip done, and was getting ready to do the other hip. You can imagine the heartbreak and anxiety that family is experiencing. I ask that somebody from the Minister's office take the details of this family from me and reach out to them. Is there someone in Ireland with the skill set to carry out this procedure? Question marks have been raised in that regard. A second possibility that could be considered is for Fachtna to be looked after under the treatment abroad scheme. I understand there is a surgeon in Texas who is qualified to carry out this procedure. There is a significant amount of uncertainty and many unknowns here but I ask that someone reach out to Fachtna's family. The fact they have the support of Deputies and the Minister could go a long way towards providing a degree of certainty or support which they do not have at the moment. If that could be arranged, I would appreciate it.

See this speech in context