David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1497. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the plans in relation to the way that the allocated €19 million will be spent to ensure all children in Ireland will have timely access to scoliosis care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19849/22]

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

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for orthopaedic treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. One of the central priorities for me as Minister for Health is that waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures are improved, and that children receive the care that they need and deserve in a timely and appropriate fashion. In particular, a special area of focus for me and my Department is that of paediatric orthopaedics.

In January I asked the HSE to develop a dedicated plan to tackle scoliosis waiting lists this year.  In early February I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of the proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.

This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.

More specifically, €3.4 million has been committed to support additional activity at Cappagh Orthopaedic hospital. This is the full year requirement associated with the €1.65 million that was provided from the Access to Care Fund in 2021 to support CHI paediatric orthopaedic activity at Cappagh. Furthermore, €4.7 million has been provided on a recurring basis since 2021 to fund an additional 24 beds at Crumlin and Temple street, and 2 high dependency unit beds at Crumlin. These beds will facilitate the increase in activity needed to reduce paediatric orthopaedic waiting times. A further €4 million has been committed for a theatre expansion programme across CHI sites to focus on paediatric orthopaedics. Capital funding of €4 million has been designated to support this initiative, which is included within the 2022 Capital Plan due to be approved shortly. Finally, €2 million has been provided for outsourcing initiatives for both inpatient and daycase procedures, as well as to meet radiology needs. Plans are currently being finalised by CHI in this regard.

Further details of the breakdown of these funds are provided for the Deputy in the attached document. Some of these figures are initial estimates and as such are subject to final review, agreement and potential revision on receipt of the detailed operational plan for delivery of this important initiative.

">WaitingLists

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1498. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who are currently waiting for scoliosis surgeries in all categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19850/22]

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

In February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.

This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.

In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1499. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who are currently waiting on their first appointment with an orthopaedic consultant in Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin and Cappagh Hospital; the length of wait, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19851/22]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on their website. The NTPF provides a breakdown of the Outpatient waiting list by specialty for each hospital, showing the figures for adults and children separately. 

The waiting list reports can be accessed at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1500. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who are currently waiting for an outpatient appointment with an orthopaedic consultant in HSE hospitals outside of Dublin; the length of time that they have been waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19852/22]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on their website. The NTPF provides a breakdown of the Outpatient waiting list by specialty for each hospital, showing the figures for adults and children separately. 

The waiting list reports can be accessed at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1501. To ask the Minister for Health the current wait time and length of wait for an MRI in Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19853/22]

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

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to Omicron variants.

The HSE has confirmed to the Department that 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 Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.