Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

489. To ask the Minister for Health if a request made by the family of a person (detailed supplied) will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37429/18]

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

I cannot discuss individual cases, however I am aware of the case mentioned and am very sorry to hear of the long time that the person has been waiting. I am advised that the treating Hospital is actively engaged with the family in question on a treatment plan.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

490. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delay experienced by children on scoliosis waiting lists in accessing botox treatment; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these children are in pain while they wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37430/18]

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

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 my Department 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 Children's Hospital Group advises that patients do not necessarily require botox as part of their treatment plan for scoliosis surgery and that it is the responsibility of the treating clinicians to determine the best course of care for their patients.

The Children's Hospital Group further advise that should any families wish to discuss their child’s care, they can contact their treating hospital directly.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

491. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of children waiting for scoliosis surgery who have had their surgery suspended or who have been added to the suspended list; the length of wait for each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37431/18]

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

Waiting List figures for the end of August show there are 188 (of which 109 are Spinal Fusion) patients on the waiting list for spinal surgery. Of which 90 are actively waiting, 14 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 40 are suspended and 44 are on the planned procedure list.

The HSE advise that there are 109 patients waiting over 4 months for surgery. Of which 48 are actively waiting, 6 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 41 are suspended and 14 are on the planned procedure list.

I am sorry that any child and their family experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis. While I cannot comment on individual cases, the Chidren's Hospital Group advises that there are cases where a child has multiple clinical complexities and medical conditions that requires consultation between parents, several doctors and other clinical team members as part of planning treatment options. In these cases, the children’s hospitals are in regular contact with these families.

The Children's Hospital Group has advised that suspensions are managed in line with NTPF guidelines. Patients in the suspended category are those that are not clinically ready for surgery therefore at a point in time are not captured as part of the 4 month target. There is a plan in OLCHC to progress a clinical case management system to categorise and manage those patients who do not need to be on a waiting list. In reviewing these patients (on the suspended waiting list) there appears to be a number of patients who will be clinically deemed as not requiring surgery in 2018. These patients will be managed via the clinical case management system in the coming weeks in order to ensure that a safe, robust system is in place to support clinical decisions and case management.

The Children's Hospital advise that should any families wish to discuss their child’s care, that they contact the hospital directly.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

492. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of children who have had surgery abroad in 2018 for scoliosis in line with his commitment to ensure that all procedures will be carried out in four months; the number of surgeries and the location in which the surgery is carried out; if he will publish the waiting lists by length of time on the list and include suspended lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37432/18]

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

The investment in paediatric orthopaedics this year, to include scoliosis services, has already improved access for surgery and out-patient review to address the lengthy waiting times experienced by children and young people with scoliosis. The impact of investment is now starting to deliver results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded. Since January there is an 18% reduction in waiting times for access to surgery at the end of August.

The Children's Hospital Group advises that these initiatives and developments have meant that the use of overseas services has reduced in 2018 as activity and capacity has increased within the Children’s Hospital Group and Cappagh Hospital.

For the period 1 January 2018 to 27 August 2018 one spinal surgery was carried out abroad in the UK.

Waiting List figures for the end of August show there are 188 (of which 109 are Spinal Fusion) patients on the waiting list for spinal surgery. Of which 90 are actively waiting, 14 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 40 are suspended and 44 are on the planned procedure list.

The HSE advise that there are 109 patients waiting over 4 months for surgery. Of which 48 are actively waiting, 6 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 41 are suspended and 14 are on the planned procedure list.