John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator very much. I know the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has spoken to him on this matter. I thank him for raising the wider issue. As he will appreciate, I cannot speak to the individual case he referred to. However, I reiterate the Government's commitment to ensuring ongoing improvements in paediatric orthopaedic services to ensure that children with scoliosis and spina bifida are treated as quickly and safely as possible. I acknowledge the Senator's work in this area. He brought forward a Private Members' Bill on the matter last week, which I also acknowledge.

Our goal, and I am sure it is one we all share in this House and outside of it, is for every person in Ireland to have access to the care they need when they need it. I acknowledge that the waiting lists for spinal surgery services are too long and that some patients are waiting longer than we wish. I also acknowledge the difficulties parents are facing, particularly when watching their children in discomfort and pain and having to explain to a son or daughter that they cannot exactly say when his or her suffering may be ended. However, I also have to acknowledge the progress and investment that have been made in recent years, and will continue to be made under the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

The additional investment has allocated significant resources to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. Last year, an additional 52 full-time equivalent posts were approved to enhance spinal services, including consultants, nurses and health and social care professionals, 14 of whom are already in post. Additionally, €11.6 million has been allocated for international outsourcing. This builds on the €19 million investment in these services over the past number of years, which has supported the hiring of more staff, an additional theatre and MRI scanner and 24 additional beds. This investment has made an impact. In 2024, 513 paediatric spinal procedures were completed, which is a 10% increase compared with 2023 and a 35% increase compared with 2019. In 2024, the total active spinal waiting list decreased from 127 to 108, which is a reduction of 15%. In 2024, the number of patients actively waiting more than four months decreased by 37%. There was also a 59% reduction in the longest waiting patients, with the number actively waiting for over a year declining from 29 to 12.

I am conscious that these figures will offer little comfort to many parents and children awaiting news on when their surgery will be. The dedicated spinal surgery management unit established within CHI last year is responsible for managing the delivery of spinal surgery and driving continuous improvement to the service. This unit is supported by the wider paediatric orthopaedic and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring patients are prioritised correctly for surgery and working to reduce waiting lists and waiting times for spinal surgeries. Extra outpatient clinics are taking place where new spinal outpatients are being seen. GPs can now refer patients directly to CHI, ensuring that urgent cases will be prioritised. National outsourcing opportunities are being utilised to maximise capacity for complex spinal surgeries and arrangements are in place with hospitals in New York and London. I understand families are supported in accessing these pathways, if it is the right option.

I reiterate that I understand that behind every number is a child and a family. We are doing everything we can to try to assist in reducing those waiting lists further. The investment will assist with that in the time ahead.