John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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352. To ask the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four, four to eight and more than eight months, respectively in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at the end of December 2020 or the latest date available; and if he will provide the same information for other spinal patients. [3064/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures, including scoliosis services, remains a priority of Government. Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic last year, by 31st December 2020 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) had carried out 322 scoliosis procedures, 163 of which were spinal fusions, and 159 other spinal procedures. Overall, scoliosis activity figures for 2020 were 16% lower than in the previous year, despite the necessary curtailment of routine elective surgery in March, April and May last year, significant social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements.

Scoliosis activity accounts for 20% of overall orthopaedic activity across CHI. In recent years there has been an increased investment in paediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis services, which has improved access to surgery and outpatient appointments. In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI; previously the Children’s Hospital Group) was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services.

This funding supported the recruitment of approximately 60 WTE in 2018 and 2019 to enable the expansion of paediatric orthopaedic services including scoliosis services. The posts relate to the multi-disciplinary team at diagnosis, pre-assessment, during surgery in theatre, and post operatively. The majority of posts were allocated to each hospital in 2018.

On 2nd January 2021, the HSE issued correspondence to the Acute hospital system advising of the need to curtail scheduled elective care. This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and the projected trend in admissions based upon community transmission levels of Covid-19. CHI has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive rather than a blanket cessation of all routine activity as was done in March last year.

CHI have confirmed that urgent Outpatient appointments continue to be held face to face, while some routine appointments have been deferred. Many specialties have switched to virtual appointments with some blended face to face appointments where deemed appropriate.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols. The HSE have confirmed that this position will be reviewed weekly throughout January.

Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as the current two-metre distancing, have had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, including scoliosis procedures. However, Children’s Health Ireland have confirmed that time dependent and urgent procedures will continue to be undertaken in CHI.

In relation to the specific query raised regarding the number of children currently waiting less than 4, 4 to 8 and more than 8 months, respectively in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at the end of December 2020, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.