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Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (706)

Emer Higgins

Question:

706. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the new plan to clear the children’s waiting list for orthopaedic surgery will be fulfilled by the end of 2022 in view of the €19 million allocation. [11205/22]

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Written answers

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for orthopaedic treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. One of the central priorities for me as Minister for Health is that waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures are improved, and that children receive the care that they need and deserve in a timely and appropriate fashion. In particular, a special area of focus for me and my Department is that of paediatric orthopaedics.

In January I asked the HSE to develop a dedicated plan to tackle scoliosis waiting lists this year. Earlier this month I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of the proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.

This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative. The targets are challenging and ambitious, but there is a real determination to drive this initiative forward by the committed clinicians and wider health staff within CHI.

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