Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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819. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an initial assessment by a hospital for scoliosis in view of the severe impact this condition is having on this child’s life. [35337/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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820. To ask the Minister for Health how many children are waiting for an initial review/assessment for scoliosis in Crumlin Hospital at the present time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35350/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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821. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to be assessed by Crumlin Hospital for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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822. To ask the Minister for Health what measures he is implementing or planning to implement to reduce the waiting times for a scoliosis assessment in Crumlin Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 821 and 822 together.

I sincerely regret that children can experience long waiting times for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.

Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end, with significant current and capital funding committed to implement the plan.

This funding is providing additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enabling further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital, also known as Cappagh Kids.

The additional activity is targeted at reducing the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida).

We did make progress. In 2022, 47% more scoliosis procedures were carried out than in 2021; if we compare to pre-pandemic levels, this represents a 34% increase.

Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022, corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increases in demand and referrals compared to previous years, with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021. Whilst the growth in referrals is stabilising in 2023, this latent Covid-19 demand has resulted in increased outpatient activity.

The HSE and CHI have developed a plan for 2023 to continue and build on the work done in 2022.

To the end of June in 2023, CHI and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh have completed 219 spinal procedures. The figure includes 101 Spinal Fusion surgeries as well as 118 other spinal procedures, and represents 89% of the projected activity to the end of June and 46% of the targeted activity for the full year 2023.

In relation to the average waiting time for a child to be assessed for scoliosis in CHI at Crumlin, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.