Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
315. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in view of the unacceptably long waiting times for scoliosis surgery which many children have to endure, if he will make a special allocation for mental health supports during this difficult period, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33216/23]
View answerI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end, and progress was made. As of the 30th of December 2022, 509 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 380 for the same period in 2019 - a 34% increase and an increase of 47% compared to 2021. Work to build on this progress is continuing in 2023 and to the end of June, 219 spinal procedures had been carried out, inclusive of 29 outsourced to Cappagh and Blackrock. Children’s Health Ireland and Cappagh Kids continue to work together to do as much as possible for patients. The partnership between CHI and Cappagh has grown successfully over the last number of years, with clinically suitable patients from CHI undergoing orthopaedic procedures at Cappagh, which is helping to address long waiting lists at the CHI hospitals.
In 2022, Cappagh completed 549 (non-complex) orthopaedic surgeries including spinal fusions, and 68 surgeries for Spina Bifida patients transferred from CHI exceeding the target of 61 for the year. In 2022, to the end of June, Cappagh had completed 11 spinal fusion surgeries for patients transferred from CHI.
Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022, corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increase in demand and referrals compared to previous years with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021.
All patients with a diagnosis of scoliosis require a pre-operative work-up prior to spinal surgery, including multiple diagnostic investigations and review by a multidisciplinary team. The plan of care which is implemented for each patient is tailored to best meet the patient’s clinical requirements, with the complexity of a child’s total medical condition dictating the level of planning and pre-operative work and time needed.
Communication and engagement with patients and their families is a priority for CHI who are developing new patient information materials to enhance awareness of points of contact for support within the Orthopaedic service. With regard to the to the specific query raised regarding the mental health supports available to children awaiting scoliosis surgery, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
