Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, for coming to the Seanad, which enables me to demonstrate why it is vital that the Minister, Deputy Harris, does everything in his power to address the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery at the Galway university hospitals. We often hear of hundreds of thousands of people waiting for procedures and appointments at hospitals throughout the country. Today I want the Minister of State to hear the case of one individual from my area. I have his full permission and that of his family to use his name in this regard. Nothing brings home the seriousness of the situation like hearing the details of the individual cases.

His name is Neil McEleney. He first underwent spinal surgery at UHG in November 2015. This was a triple spinal fusion which consisted of eight screws, three rods and extensive bone grafting. Two months later the screws slipped and broke two vertebrae, which resulted in the screws pulling out.

He then had a second operation in February 2016. This time the screws and plates were removed and more extensive hardware was used further up his spine. Unfortunately, he experienced severe pain for several months after the operation, at which time a scan showed that the screws had pulled out of the vertebrae and four screws loosened further down the spine.

The CT scan showed a haloing effect where the bone around the screws is being eroded with the constant movement. Every time he moves the screws and frame move, and the four loose screws further down are causing frame movement.

The unimaginable pain Neil is experiencing every minute of every hour and every hour of every day can only be described as inhumane. To complicate things further Neil has two underlying diseases, one is sarcoidosis which affects the lungs and muscles, and has unfortunately gone into the pituitary gland which has in turn caused Addison's disease. His consultants understand his operation requires a multidisciplinary approach involving respiratory and orthopaedic input, as well as endocrinology.

Neil desperately needs a third operation as his spine is out of alignment. This is called an osteotomy where basically a cut in the shape of a "V" is made in the spinal column and the spine is either bent or broken to realign it, and extensive screws and rods are fixed for two thirds of its length and anchored to the pelvis.

His consultant at the time Mr. Jadaan assisted by Mr. Fergus and Mr. John McCabe organised for Neil to have the surgery on 26 September 2016. He was admitted to UHG on 25 September 2016, put on a pre-operation IV drip due to the Addison's disease and was advised that he would be first to the theatre on Monday morning at 7.30 a.m. He was gowned and ready for surgery on 26 September, but as there was no spinal cord monitor the surgery had to be cancelled. Neil was discharged and sent home.

Since then he has been waiting in desperation. His endocrinologist has said he is in exquisite pain and he is concerned about the huge amounts of painkillers he has to take.

I quote his consultant orthopaedic surgeon who has stated,

This is major complex revision spinal surgery which is only performed in two centres in Ireland and the waiting lists for it are serious. This is largely due to failure to provide funding at the necessary level for pathway of care commensurate with modern spine practice and has not been adequately addressed.

The Galway university hospitals are also awaiting appointment of further consultants. Again I quote the consultant, who has stated,

I have patients waiting [since] as long as 2013 for spinal surgery under my care. I am not in a position to effect change in the pathway of care unless I get appropriate funding.

How Neil can get the vital surgery he needs? Last week he was sent to UHG by his GP for a much-needed CT scan. He was hoping to being admitted to the accident and emergency department. However, no CT scan was conducted and he was sent home again.

When the Minister, Deputy Harris, was in UHG last week, Neil and his wife Kathleen were there. They saw his entourage pass by but did not have the strength to speak to him. They have nothing left. They are mentally, physically or emotionally drained. I have a simple question for the Minister of State today. Neil has been given several reasons for not being able to have this vital operation at UHG including lack of staff, facilities and funding. He cannot wait in this excruciating pain indefinitely. Can this operation be done in a different hospital, specifically the spinal unit at the Mater Hospital, as a matter of urgency? I say that in the context of the desperation of people on the waiting list for orthopaedic surgery and the pain they are experiencing.