John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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925. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding an independent review of scoliosis services in view of a commitment to a group (details supplied) on 29 March 2017 that this decision would be made and communicated to the group; the reason the draft document titled action plan on scoliosis does not mention persons under 14 years of age on waiting lists; the reason the action plan is based solely on the day case inpatient list and not on all three categories, preplanned and pre-admit; if all of the stakeholders were consulted on the plan; the number of times the co-design board has met since being appointed in October 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients for scoliosis surgery, I asked the HSE to develop an action plan for 2017. The plan has been finalised and I intend to publish it shortly. Every patient, including children under the age of 14, who needs to be treated in 2017 has been considered and is included in the plan.

I have asked officials in my Department to consider the matter of an Independent clinical review of scoliosis services. The scoliosis co-design group which will provide an important and useful forum in which to address issues relating to the services currently provided, held its first meeting on the 25th April at which, inter alia, it agreed its terms of reference and schedule of meetings.