Seanad debates

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Paediatric Scoliosis Services: Statements

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Lorraine Clifford-LeeLorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for outlining those facts and figures. As he said on several occasions, this is time-sensitive surgery. Any delay is crucial to the well-being of these children and the outcomes of the surgery. Everybody here has heard from families in our communities and around the country who are, unfortunately, waiting unacceptable lengths of time for the proper surgery. On top of dealing with the condition and the challenges the condition presents for very young members of our society and their families, they are dealing with the stress and anxiety of not knowing when they are going to get the appropriate treatment. Parents can see their children deteriorating before their eyes every day.

While there has been an improvement, it is still the position that children and their families must take to the national airwaves to get the treatment to which they are entitled. That is not acceptable. It is traumatic, undignified and unnecessary. Families should not have to go and talk about this very difficult and private health situation on the national airwaves to get a bit of action. I do not think there is any lack of commitment on behalf of the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, or the medical professionals. I and my colleagues have raised this matter within our own parliamentary groups and in this Chamber. We are constantly told that the delays are not the result of a lack of money and the money is there. It is obviously a lack of joined-up thinking between the specialists, the Department and the primary carers.

I would like to make a suggestion that might improve the situation. There should be an official within the Department of Health with whom families can link in. That person should then liaise with all the others involved. These families are dealing with enough. It is a busy enough time when someone has young children but if a child has additional and complex health needs, it is a very busy and difficult time. Those parents do not have time to go chasing up and trying to co-ordinate different medical professions. They should not have to do that. It is unacceptable that this extra stress and strain is placed on families who are going through challenging times with their children. It is undignified that small children must deal with the stress and worry, and take to the national airwaves to get a bit of action. I do not want to see any more families forced into that situation.

I acknowledge a commitment has been made and I trust the Minister of State when he says waiting times have improved. He also reference he made to different co-ordinations. I understand we are dealing with a pandemic and the aftermath of a cyberattack. All of that is immaterial if one has a child with a serious and deteriorating medical condition. If we cannot pull out the stops, as a developed and wealthy state with modern health facilities, I do not know what we can do. I hope we will not discuss these figures and beg for action again in the future. Some of the affected families are listening to this debate and I am sure they do not want to sit there and bang their heads off a brick wall again while they watch their children deteriorate before their eyes.

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