Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1541. To ask the Minister for Health if immediate funding can be facilitated to increase paediatric and adult care at the National Orthopaedic Hospital with particular reference to the urgent surgeries that await same and given the stress and anxiety that this delay is now causing to the children and families affected by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63527/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh is Ireland’s major centre for Elective Orthopaedic Surgery. The hospital provides the full range of Orthopaedic Services including Major Joint Replacement (ankle, hip, knee, foot, shoulder, elbow and wrist), Spinal Surgery, Primary Bone Tumour Service, Paediatric Orthopaedics and the management of Sports Injuries.

As part of Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) paediatric orthopaedic service, most complex cases (including patients with scoliosis) are treated at Crumlin and Temple Street, with Crumlin providing specialised multi-disciplinary treatment for the most complex patients. The National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional capacity for the treatment of more routine orthopaedic patients, including some routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites. More specifically, additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI have advised the Department of Health that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general orthopaedics in addition to consequential capacity gains for complex patient needs. In 2022 CHI are planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.

Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland for increased investment in paediatric orthopaedic services in 2022 and increased activity through 'Cappagh Kids' will be decided as part of the finalisation of the Waiting List Action Plan 2022. In addition the HSE has advised my Department that a proposal to fund an additional theatre at Temple Street is currently progressing through the normal HSE capital approval process. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise 2022 Waiting List Action Plan. 

For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.

In addition, my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund.