David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children removed in each of the past five years from scoliosis surgery lists on the basis of the deterioration of their condition making surgery unsafe in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41359/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government’s priority is to improve waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties, including scoliosis.

All patients with a diagnosis of scoliosis require a pre-operative work-up prior to spinal surgery, including multiple diagnostic investigations and review by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The plan of care which is implemented for each patient is tailored to best meet the patient's clinical requirements.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy concerning the removal of patients from scoliosis surgical lists on the basis of the deterioration of their condition, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.