Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2019
153. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four months for treatment; the number waiting four to eight months; the number waiting more than eight months; and if similar information will be provided for other spinal patients for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, respectively in tabular form. [3440/19]
View answerThe long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 and into 2019 has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE.
In 2018 CHG delivered 418 scoliosis procedures. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 (371 procedures) and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
In terms of the numbers waiting for procedures, there was a reduction of 27% in the numbers waiting for a scoliosis procedure as of the end of December 2018 when 176 patients were waiting compared to the same period in 2017, when 224 patients were awaiting treatment.
In relation to the number of patients waiting by specific time-band as requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond the Deputy directly.
