Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the commitments he made in respect of reducing surgery waiting times for children suffering from scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/17]

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 plans have now been finalised and will be communicated 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.

As a result of the recent recruitment campaigns, additional nurses are in post which have facilitated an additional day a week of theatre in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin since 7 April 2017. A number of nurses have commenced work in April, and a consultant is due to take up post in June. This will increase theatre capacity by a further two days a week from July 2017.