John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE action plan for scoliosis will be published; his plans for the implementation of the action plan; the funding put in place for this implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11815/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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While some progress has been made in 2016 as a result of investment in the scoliosis service, it is clear there is much more to do to provide the level service that is needed.

A draft Waiting List Action Plan for Scoliosis has been submitted by the HSE to my Department. The draft action plan for Scoliosis includes both measures to increase capacity for scoliosis treatments in the children's hospitals and proposals for the outsourcing of procedures. Officials are currently reviewing and evaluating the plan and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF towards its finalisation. I expect to make known the details of the HSE's Waiting List Action Plan including the Action Plan for Scoliosis in the coming weeks.

In addition to the action plan, efforts have been made to improve access to scoliosis services. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin has undertaken an aggressive recruitment drive to attract new theatre nurses with the necessary paediatric training. As a result, four new nurses will be in place by April, and a further 16 international nurses have been offered posts and have commenced the registration process.

The recruitment of these nurses means that the new theatre will be used to provide the additional capacity for scoliosis procedures in Crumlin from April. This will allow an additional day of procedures to be carried out in the medium term.

In addition I am advised by the hospital that an orthopaedic surgeon post in Crumlin Hospital will be filled by June. This means that from July, the hospital expects that the theatre use will be further increased.