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

532. To ask the Minister for Health if she or any of her Department officials are aware of letters sent to parents in response to an audit into osteotomies or procedures carried out on children with hip dysplasia at CHI; her knowledge or that of her officials in her Department of the number of letters sent; the earliest year to which the letters relate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22557/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A clinical audit has been conducted by an external international expert on surgery for children with developmental dysplasia of the hip across CHI and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC). The audit process is at an advanced stage and CHI and NOHC are committed to sharing the findings of the audit once it is completed.

An action plan is currently being drafted in advance of the final audit report. This plan includes identification of groups of patients not included in the audit sample but who may be affected by any findings of the audit. Plans are being put in place for patient follow-up in line with good practice and will consider any recommendations with regard to clinical follow up from the final report.

CHI and NOHC have issued letters in recent weeks to families and patients who had hip dysplasia procedures since 2010 to provide reassurance and information about the audit, and to ensure all potential cases were included. The number of patients and families involved is subject to ongoing refinement due to clinical review.

I will be updated as the process towards finalisation of the audit and publication of the final report progresses. Officials in my Department will continue to engage with the HSE.