Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming here to listen to the debate on this very important issue. I compliment all the people who have sent us emails highlighting their experiences and what their children are going through.We are all here as legislators but, at the end of the day, children and their futures are really important to all of us. Scoliosis and other orthopaedic problems can have an awful impact on children as they grow up.

In 2013 or 2014, a number of people I know personally were impacted by scoliosis. At the time, when I engaged with the surgeon and the various healthcare staff, it was not even about funding. Rather, it was that theatres were not available and that was a big issue. My understanding is that is what the problems relate to now. At that time, the Minister of the day engaged with surgeons, lobbying groups and parents on behalf of children and provided funding to other hospitals in order that minor surgeries that needed to be carried out could be transferred to them, which freed up time for these surgeries to be carried out. I recall the case of a girl who was about 13 years of age. She was undergoing a growth spurt and her height grew but her body did not grow with it, and that was the problem. She was told that if the issue was let go much longer, she could end up needing to use a wheelchair. Her condition was very serious. She underwent surgery in Crumlin hospital, however, because people with less urgent needs had been moved to other hospitals to free up theatres. Perhaps this is something the Minister of State could propose to the Minister for Health for consideration. I am sure theatres are available in different hospitals. I am not suggesting sickness is ever minor but sometimes certain surgeries can be carried out in other hospitals. My understanding is that surgery for scoliosis requires certain machinery, so it cannot be carried out in every theatre.

This is a serious issue affecting many children throughout the country and, as Senator Pauline O'Reilly said, nobody on the western seaboard is dealing with this. Children from the west, the mid-west and the south have to travel to Dublin for surgery, so spreading out the treatment should be considered. Moreover, there is a shortage of specialised surgeons and nurses to support that and it needs to be seriously examined. We cannot afford to allow children at that age to be left with debilitating conditions. Some of them end up needing to use a wheelchair. Having read some of the stories, I know the real-life experiences can be harrowing, not only for the children but for their families as well.

I acknowledge the Minister of State's commitment and know he will do his best, but he might consider some of the proposals I have outlined to reduce the waiting lists.