Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It will be part of Mr. Nayagam's review. The third objective is "To assess the governance of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Service and to make findings, [that is right across the board] and to make any necessary recommendations in regard to improvement in governance including quality, safety, outcomes and performance metrics." Dr. Colm Henry and I have spoken directly on this. I have instructed very clearly that this issue be looked at and that waiting list management be looked at. The State has invested the money. We have really dedicated healthcare professionals who are working very hard and doing extra sessions and using the extra resources. They are doing much more surgery.

I share the Deputy's frustration. I have asked the question repeatedly. I have asked it of officials who are engaging with CHI and I now want the external reviewer - as well as CHI - to come back to me with a very detailed answer to this question. To date I have had answers, including reference to increased referral from other parts of the country - people seeing that the service rate is expanding and referral rates increasing. I agree entirely with the thrust of the Deputy's questions.

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