Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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420. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in securing additional staff and resources to tackle the delays in treating scoliosis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31562/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan. An additional €9 million has been provided to the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including further increasing access to scoliosis services.

In terms of recruitment, the Children's Hospital Group (CHG) advises that the reconfiguration of the existing orthopaedic post in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) is being worked through by OLCHC for Consultant Appointment Approval Committee (CAAC) consideration.

In addition, funding for two new consultant posts for paediatric orthopaedics has been provided in the HSE 2018 National Service Plan. These two new posts are currently being processed through the CAAC process and are expected to be appointed in Q4 2018. These posts will be allocated to OLCHC and Temple Street CUH for paediatric orthopaedics so that existing consultants can focus on spinal surgery services.

CHG also advises that in May OLCHC commenced an Outpatient Department (OPD) Spinal Review Clinic as an interim measure until the 2 new consultant posts are filled. Its aim is to reduce first OPD appointment to 6 months by September.