Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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633. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the resourcing of the paediatric spinal surgery management unit and efforts to coordinate spinal services across all our hospitals; the number of patients awaiting paediatric spinal surgery at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4294/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to ensuring ongoing improvements to ensure that children with scoliosis are treated quickly and safely.

The dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit, established last year, is coordinated cross-city, led by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Nurse Manager and Business Manager. The dedicated Unit is supported by the wider CHI Paediatric Orthopaedic and Multi-Disciplinary Teams, ensuring patients are prioritised correctly for surgery and working to reduce waiting lists and waiting times for spinal surgeries.

This Unit is working on improving capacity within CHI, expanding national outsourcing, and looking to maximise the international support. These initiatives have supported an increase in activity and a decrease in the time children are waiting for their surgery. In 2024, activity increased by 10% compared to 2023, and over the year the number of children actively waiting over 4 months reduced by 37%.

CHI reports that on 31 December 2024, there were 108 children on the active waiting list, 16 that had a date for their surgery, and 45 who had an initial episode of care and require further planned procedures in the future. There were also 61 children on the suspended list. In addition, there were 9 children on the Cappagh spinal waiting list.

Spinal services will remain a priority under the Waiting List Action Plan in 2025.