Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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217. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children that are waiting more than six months for scoliosis treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20637/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I continue to support the HSE in its efforts to bring down the waiting times for and improve access to scoliosis services. The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by the Department of Health and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan.  

€9 million funding has been provided in 2018 to improve access to paediatric orthopaedic services including scoliosis. The 2018 HSE National Service Plan includes a commitment from the HSE to continue to improve access to paediatric orthopaedics, including surgery for scoliosis, in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital Group to achieve clinically appropriate waiting times. This will be underpinned by the development of a standardised pathway of care for children and adolescents with scoliosis which will be evidence-based and patient-centred.

The HSE, in their Service Plan, has also committed to the development of a service for young adults with scoliosis in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital for patients transferring from paediatric services.

In addition, a Paediatric Scoliosis Services Co-Design group is in place, which includes clinicians, hospital staff and representatives from the scoliosis advocacy groups, to design a comprehensive contemporary and patient-centred approach to the delivery of scoliosis services.

The Children's Hospital Group advise that as of week ending 27 April 2018, there were 87 patients on the active waiting list who had been waiting for more than 4 months.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly to provide details on the number of children waiting more than 6 months.