Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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281. To ask the Minister for Health if discussions are expected to take place regarding the €5.1 million that was requested for Cappagh Kids National Orthopaedic Hospital to be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8823/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh is Ireland’s major centre for Elective Orthopaedic Surgery. Through the Cappagh Kids initiative, the National Orthopaedic Hospital provides additional capacity for the treatment of more routine paediatric orthopaedic patients, including some routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, Children’s Health Ireland can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites. Total funding of €1.65 million was provided for this initiative in 2021, and funding for 2022 is encompassed in the waiting list action plan. The National Orthopaedic Hospital estimates it will complete 640 non complex surgeries for CHI in 2022.

Additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI has advised my Department that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general paediatric orthopaedics in addition to consequential capacity gains for complex patient needs. In 2022 Children’s Health Ireland is planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.

Last week I convened a meeting with the clinical teams from Crumlin, Temple Street, and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, along with senior management from these hospitals and the HSE. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the draft paediatric orthopaedic waiting list plan and to ensure that an appropriate plan with ambitious and attainable activity levels was being produced. The plan will be funded in the context of the wider waiting list action plan for 2022 and will include additional activity to reduce the spinal orthopaedic waiting list through the use of theatres at Crumlin, Temple Street, and Cappagh, as well as additional capacity in the private sector. 

Last Friday I also went out to visit Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital to witness first hand the great work being done through the 'Cappagh Kids' programme. I met with the CEO and senior clinicians, including Mr Conor Green.  Cappagh have ambitious plans to develop the hospital to provide additional capacity for both adults and children. I welcome in particular the current proposal to enhance capacity for Cappagh Kids at the site, but I have asked that they look again at the proposals to ensure that we are sufficiently ambitious whilst remaining realistic around what can be achieved.