Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1229. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the progress made in addressing the needs of child scoliosis patients who need surgery; if he will outline his further plans to get on top of this pressing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45041/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Scoliosis and Spina Bifida were identified as a priority in both the 2022 and 2023 Waiting List Action Plans (WLAP). The aim of the WLAP is to ensure that patients have more timely access to high-quality scheduled care in our acute hospitals and will improve patient outcomes and patient experiences of our healthcare service. There was an increase in the number of spinal procedures carried out in 2022 and 2023, compared to 2019. The expected reduction in the waiting lists were offset by increases in demand and referrals compared to previous years. These services remain priority areas under the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan.

At my request, a dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit was established earlier this year to focus on delivering improvements to the spinal waiting lists. This Unit is working on improving capacity within CHI, expanding national outsourcing, and looking to maximise the international support.

A number of international outsourcing initiatives have been finalised for children waiting on spinal surgery. Children have been seen by clinicians from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York and Great Ormond Street Hospital London.

I have also convened a dedicated stakeholder Paediatric Spinal Taskforce to collaboratively address concerns raised by families and advocacy groups.

I am chairing monthly meetings with the HSE and CHI to ensure that everything that can be done is being done.