Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for being here this evening from the Department of Health and Children. I was moved to put down this motion on the Adjournment due to the sad tale which I read in a letter sent to me yesterday. It was about a 16 year old girl who is suffering from severe scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. She has been to her local doctor and her consultant in Crumlin Hospital. He works in that hospital and in the Blackrock Clinic. The parents were told that her curvature was above 45 degrees and that she would need surgery as the curve progresses with time. The consultant carried out a full day of tests on her and the parents were informed that it would take up to 18 months for this girl to have her operation through the public system, and a similar length of time in the private system.

The parents, the consultant and her local doctor feel that this should not be the case. She is a young girl and has been very active in athletics. She was into gymnastics, basketball, Gaelic football and has national medals in trampolining. She is now in transition year at school. At her age, the curvature develops very rapidly and the young girl could find herself misshapen. The operation in question would be much more difficult at a later stage than if it were done now.

I put down this matter without much hope that it would be taken on the Adjournment, but I ask the Minister of State to convey the following urgent message. Any young person diagnosed with severe scoliosis should have his or her operation carried out with the least delay possible. I hope that in replying, the Minister of State will be able to provide a positive direction for this young girl.

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I will be taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children.

Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin is Ireland's largest paediatric hospital and provides a wide range of secondary and tertiary paediatric care. I have read the details of this case as supplied and I share the Deputy's wish that treatment be made available as soon as possible, either at Crumlin or by arrangement with another provider, possibly through the National Treatment Purchase Fund. However, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the specific circumstances of the case, the details of which have been brought to the attention of the HSE by the Department, as a result of the Deputy raising the matter with us today.

The HSE is in discussion with the hospital authorities about the capacity of the hospital to provide surgery for a number of children with a similar condition. The hospital has the necessary theatre capacity to undertake additional procedures, but an issue has arisen with regard to the provision of anaesthetic cover. The HSE is to meet shortly with the three Dublin paediatric hospitals to explore the potential for resolving this issue. This is a welcome initiative, as we must make every effort to maximise all available resources for the benefit of the children concerned.

The specific circumstance of this case have been brought to the attention of the HSE by the Department, as a result of Deputy O'Rourke raising the matter with us today.