Debate resumed on I move amendment No. 1:

Debate resumed on amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"recognises that:

— Children's Health Ireland (CHI) was made aware through the protected disclosure process of a concern relating to the threshold criteria being used for surgical intervention in relation to development dysplasia of the hip (DDH) September 2023;

— the concern related to different indications for DDH surgery between CHI Temple Street, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC) and CHI Crumlin, with a lower threshold for surgery at Temple Street and NOHC for children, this resulted in different practices across the sites in CHI and NOHC;

— the Department of Health was notified by the Health Services Executive on 9th May, 2024 that a clinical audit was to be conducted in CHI and the NOHC;

— the clinical audit is being conducted by an external international expert on surgery for children with developmental dysplasia of the hip performed during the 2021-2023 period across CHI and the NOHC;

— the Minister for Health is awaiting the final report of the audit, which is expected in the coming weeks, before any conclusions can be drawn on this matter, further details will be shared once the process concludes, respecting confidentiality and due process;

— patients and their families will have understandable concerns, and CHI and NOHC have issued letters to families to provide reassurance and information about the audit pending its completion;

— as a patient safety precaution, a single cross-site pre-operative decision-making process for any planned DDH surgery in CHI and NOHC has been implemented, all cases are being reviewed before any decision for surgery is made by clinicians from CHI Crumlin, Temple Street and NOHC;

— an action plan is currently being drafted, this plan includes identification of groups of patients not included in the audit sample but who may be affected by any findings of the audit.

— plans are also being put in place for patient follow-up as required in line with good practice and will consider any recommendations with regard to clinical follow up from the final report; and

— a communications plan is also being developed to support the publication of the final report and further communications to patients and families.".

- (Minister for Health)

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