Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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639. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for the procedures list for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39608/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and urgent time-critical work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that CHI at Crumlin had to defer all non-emergency spinal operations in accordance with NPHET advice. They have been phasing up services on an incremental basis since June. CHI have confirmed that spinal surgery continues to be identified as a service prioritisation.

Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) requirements have also had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, significantly impacting on the overall capacity and operational activity levels for inpatient/outpatient settings. As a result, CHI is working closely with the HSE in relation to planning and delivering care in the context of the overall service continuity plan for the health system.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.