Paul McAuliffe
Question:157. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the scoliosis treatment provision at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19622/23]
View answerWednesday, 26 April 2023
Questions (157)
Written answers
The partnership between Children’s Health Ireland and the National Orthopaedic Hospital has grown successfully over the last number of years, with clinically suitable patients from CHI undergoing orthopaedic procedures at Cappagh to help address long waiting lists at the CHI hospitals.
In 2022 I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland aimed at reducing the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures by the year end.
Through this plan, 549 additional paediatric orthopaedic procedures and 68 spina bifida related procedures were carried out in Cappagh. In addition, 32 spinal fusion surgeries for Idiopathic Scoliosis were outsourced to Cappagh during 2022.
This work has continued in 2023 and up to the 20th of April this year, 213 paediatric orthopaedic procedures and 13 spina bifida related procedures have been carried out in Cappagh as well as 7 spinal fusion surgeries for Idiopathic Scoliosis.
Funding of €363 million has been allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan. This includes €123 million to be made available to the HSE on a recurring basis to progress longer-term reforms including to streamline and reconfigure care pathways and to sustainably enhance capacity. Scoliosis and Spina Bifida are again included as priority areas for this funding.
CHI is currently finalising a Scoliosis and Spina Bifida Action Plan for 2023, that will again include a considerable contribution from Cappagh, to continue the good work done in 2022.