Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
325. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing issues for children awaiting limb reconstruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5888/24]
View answerThe Limb Reconstruction Service is a subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery and in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). It is delivered at three locations: CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple Street and The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC). Reconstruction techniques are concerned with the correction of congenital and acquired limb deformities and deficiencies. They involve procedures such as internal or external fixation.
Circular external fixators are regularly used to provide management for deformed and short limbs. Patients may have these devices in place for a period of 4 to 8 months with frequent attendances at clinics for planned specialist management.
As such, the management is complex and requires a dedicated team committed entirely to these complexities. Some of the care delivery is nurse led and there are 4 Clinical Nurse Specialists in place, 2 in CHI at Crumlin and 2 based in the NOHC, with outreach to CHI at Temple Street as required. The service also includes multiple other disciplines including surgery, physiotherapy, social work, occupational therapy, and psychology. All current limb reconstruction cases are discussed at a weekly MDT where management of issues, and upcoming cases are discussed.
