Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
692. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied); if it will be ensured that an operation will be scheduled for the child; and when the parents of the child can expect to hear from the HSE in relation to scheduling an operation. [16133/22]
View answerIn January, I asked the HSE for a dedicated plan to tackle children’s orthopaedic waiting lists this year. In early February (2022) 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 this plan to increase orthopaedic activity. Both current and capital funding totalling €19 million is being provided, including investment through the recently launched 2022 waiting list action plan.
The €19 million plan is an ambitious one and proposes additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida). The additional funding is being used to provide additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, as well as diagnostic MRI capacity that will be brought on stream this year at both sites. The funding will also be used to enable further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital, or Cappagh Kids.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
