Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

503. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the current waiting lists for children with scoliosis; the number of children on the waiting list for treatment; the steps he is taking to ensure that scoliosis patients receive treatment in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16194/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Improvements in scoliosis services absolutely are a priority for me as Minister for Health, for the Government and for the HSE this year. I welcome the fact that the HSE has committed that no child will wait longer than 4 months for such a procedure by the end of the year. This would bring Ireland in line with waiting times in the NHS in the UK.

At my request, a Scoliosis Waiting List Action Plan 2017 has been jointly developed by the HSE and the Children's Hospital Group. The HSE has submitted a final draft, which will be published shortly. As part of the new proposal to address the spinal fusion waiting list, a number of children have been identified as clinically appropriate to have their scoliosis surgery in other hospitals, such as the Mater, Cappagh and Temple Street. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin has begun contacting families whose children are considered to be suitable for outsourcing to seek their permission to share their child’s medical file with the relevant hospitals. Cappagh and the Mater have begun to review these patients’ files and are developing a care plan for each patient.

As a result of the recent recruitment campaigns, two nurses have started which will facilitate an additional day a week of theatre in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin from 7 April. A number of nurses are due to commence in post in April and a consultant is due to commence in June, which will mean an increase in theatre capacity by a further two days a week from July 2017. The Minister met with scoliosis advocacy groups last week to update them on progress. In addition, a group also met with senior HSE management to discuss improvements in all aspects of scoliosis services.

In relation to the current waiting list numbers, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.