Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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448. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons, who undergo scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures each year; who are awaiting this surgery; the waiting periods involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40522/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Spinal conditions, including scoliosis, in children and young people are predominantly managed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC). It is acknowledged that the waiting times for spinal surgery services at Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin have been unsatisfactory. I am determined that waiting times for spinal services at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin must be addressed as a priority. Accordingly, additional funding was allocated in the HSE Service Plan for 2015 for the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and support staff at Crumlin. This will maximise the use of available theatre sessions in the hospital. The first of these additional staff is now in post, and recruitment for the remaining posts is in process. In addition, capital funding has been provided for a new theatre on site at Crumlin, which will expand theatre capacity further, this development is already underway and due for completion in March 2016. As a further measure, available capacity has been identified in other hospitals and some children are being transferred for their surgery, where it is considered clinically appropriate for them.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (Stanmore) has also confirmed it has the capacity to carry out a number of scoliosis surgeries for Crumlin patients by end January 2016. A number of patients have been identified who may be suitable for transfer to Stanmore and Crumlin have made contact with the families.

The Children's Hospital Group, OLCHC and the HSE are working together on an ongoing basis to identify all options to increase capacity further to improve access times for surgery.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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449. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures in the Saolta group of hospitals in each of the years 2010 to 2014, in tabular form; the number of such operations that have been performed in these hospitals in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40523/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Saolta University Healthcare Group has assured my Department that the waiting list for such surgery is a high priority and that Galway University Hospital has been actively working to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place in order to facilitate the level of complexity involved. In particular, significant progress is being made in relation to ensuring the required resources are in place in the context of bed availability, access to diagnostics, purchase of specialist spinal equipment and access to theatre. My Department is informed that the waiting list for spinal surgery at Galway University Hospital currently comprises thirteen patients, that one scoliosis patient was treated between January and May 2015 and that 3 scoliosis patients have been treated since May 2015.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.