Results 6,261-6,280 of 11,279 for speaker:Colm Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. The last issue mentioned was that of training. What is the total number of orthopaedic consultants, including paediatric orthopaedic consultants, in Ireland at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: What is the number in paediatrics?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: In the context of consultant posts in other areas, there was a programme where a clear plan for training was set out. Is a clear plan now being proposed to deal with this issue for paediatric orthopaedics?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: Is it possible to team up with a hospital outside Ireland such that junior doctors would do part of their training in Ireland and then automatically have a place here and there would be structured training over, say, a five-year period so that when-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I refer to the issue of access to theatre. Obviously, in the context of complex operations such as these, it is not just about having the consultant and the back-up support team, it is also about having access to beds once the operation is completed. I refer to efforts to attempting to fast-track dealing with some aspects of waiting lists, as has been done in Cork in respect of day...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I am not suggesting providing treatment on the NTPF. I am talking about what was done in Cork. The procedures were not done on NTPF, it is just that the consultants got access to the theatres and the facilities-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: It is not the NTPF.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I accept what Professor McCormack is saying but the reason I am raising this is because there is a waiting time for the new children's hospital to be opened and this is about filling the gap for that short period, rather than having young people waiting so long and families getting very frustrated with delays. It is just a suggestion. I am sure Professor McCormack has considered it. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Ms Kelly said eight specialist registrars come off training each year. Can some adjustment be done so that an automatic number comes into paediatrics? My understanding is they have to do a further two years in paediatric orthopaedics once they finish the five-year training. Can that be adjusted to make it attractive for them to commence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: What timescale are we talking about? What level of training will we provide? When will we have a structure of training for that type of post?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: Mr. Woods might also outline the number of people it is proposed to train per annum.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: Going back to Cappagh, Temple Street and Crumlin hospitals, it is three or four years down the road, but what percentage of the work being done at those hospitals will transfer to the new children's hospital? What will be the level of transfer of staff from there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I will deal with those regional issues. I have a report here from Cork University Hospital which includes a cost-benefit analysis. At a recent meeting, it was indicated to me that nothing is going to be done to upgrade and provide the necessary facilities in Cork for at least another five years. What is the plan? We have now developed outpatient services at Tallaght and Connolly hospitals...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: In fairness, there is also a proposal for a new elective hospital for Cork which has not progressed by a single inch in the past five years. We are focused very much on the capital side, and rightly so because there is a need for development and a new children's hospital. However, everything else appears to be parked. I am concerned now that paediatric services in Cork will also be parked...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: That seems to be the message.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: Those in Cork have not received an indication as regards whether we are talking about 2022, 2024 or 2026. Surely at this stage some indication can be given to them in that regard. We must go through a planning process. We have not even gone through a design or planning process. Can that be started at this stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: I will ask a final question that returns to the issue of scoliosis and the opening of theatres. I know there is a number of components to any operation. There is a need for staff, a consultant, support after the operation is completed and beds. An issue arose around theatres not being opened at weekends. How serious are we about trying to deal with that issue and to identify beds that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: It would be helpful for the committee if we could get that back in writing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delays in Accessing Scoliosis Treatment and Surgery: Discussion (11 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: Is Ms Hardiman saying the issue thereafter is funding?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Nov 2021)

Colm Burke: In the area of disability, the programme for Government commits to improving change services through better implementation and collaboration to ensure the most effective interventions are provided for each individual to guarantee the best outcomes. However, in the Cork-Kerry region, children are facing waiting times of up to 12 months for equipment, such as wheelchairs and other medical...