Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
363. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress regarding the commitments he made in respect of reducing surgery waiting times for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42825/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is actively implementing the action plan they developed to ensure that no child will be waiting over four months by year-end and are focused on maximising all available capacity both internally and externally to achieve this target.
Additional nurses are now in post in both Crumlin and Temple Street. An additional consultant orthopaedic surgeon commenced last month in Crumlin. So far in 2017, 272 scoliosis procedures have been carried out across all hospitals, in comparison to 220 procedures for the entire year in 2016. This represents a 24% increase, with 11 weeks of the year remaining.
The HSE has also completed an international tender for paediatric spinal fusion procedures and three hospitals have been successful. These hospitals have commenced patient reviews with a view to commencing treatment this month for patients whose families want to take up the offer of having procedures carried out in overseas hospitals.
The HSE has also developed a forecasting model to predict on a weekly and monthly basis the numbers of patients expected to receive surgery by year end. This is assisting the HSE further in monitoring the progress made in achieving the target.
The overall number of patients waiting for scoliosis procedures has been reducing this year and progress continues in delivering on the four-month target announced by the HSE by the end of 2017 in a planned, safe and sustainable manner.
