Martin Browne
Question:1416. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of scoliosis surgeries carried out on children to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/20]
View answerTuesday, 3 November 2020
Questions (1416)
Written answers
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and urgent time-critical work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Children's Health Ireland (CHI) have advised the Department that CHI at Crumlin and Temple Street had to defer all non-emergency spinal operations in accordance with NPHET advice. They have been phasing up services on an incremental basis since June. CHI have confirmed that spinal surgery continues to be identified as a service prioritisation.Key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) requirements have also had a material impact on the available physical space to deliver services, significantly impacting on the overall capacity and operational activity levels for inpatient / outpatient settings. As a result, CHI is working closely with the HSE in relation to planning and delivering care in the context of the overall service continuity plan for the health system.
To the end of September 2020, CHI has carried out 218 scoliosis procedures. Of these, 103 were spinal fusions and 115 were other spinal procedures. This is 21% behind activity levels for the same period last year, when 277 spinal procedures were carried out, of these 128 were spinal fusions and 149 were other spinal procedures.
Additional initiatives are being explored to increase access to scoliosis treatment. CHI is working with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh to transfer additional patients who meet the clinical criteria for treatment at Cappagh and in conjunction with the NTPF, sourcing additional theatre space in private hospitals. Officials from my Department engage on an on-going basis with representatives from CHI and HSE officials to monitor scoliosis services, waiting lists, and activity levels.