Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Health if he will sanction an independent clinical review of scoliosis services here; when this can take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2254/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Long waiting times for scoliosis surgery are not acceptable, and my Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.

Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at Crumlin, and further resources of €0.987m have been allocated under the 2016 Service Plan for Orthopaedics and Trauma to address service needs in Crumlin which will have a positive effect on access for scoliosis patients. The HSE Winter Initiative 2016/2017 includes €2m provided specifically for scoliosis patients to provide for scoliosis surgeries. 78 scoliosis patients were reviewed under this initiative. To date, 54 have been treated and 4 have received appointments for treatment in February, due to clinical age restrictions for procedures.

The construction of a new orthopaedic theatre in Crumlin has been completed and is commissioned. This will provide for additional scoliosis activity in 2017 but is dependent on the recruitment of additional theatre nurses. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre. I met with a number of scoliosis advocacy groups to discuss their concerns following which the Children’s Hospital Group has begun a process of engagement with advocacy groups on developing a partnership approach to the design and planning of services for children with scoliosis. Therefore, an independent clinical review of scoliosis services is not required at this time.

My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.