Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
491. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of children waiting for scoliosis surgery who have had their surgery suspended or who have been added to the suspended list; the length of wait for each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaiting List figures for the end of August show there are 188 (of which 109 are Spinal Fusion) patients on the waiting list for spinal surgery. Of which 90 are actively waiting, 14 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 40 are suspended and 44 are on the planned procedure list.
The HSE advise that there are 109 patients waiting over 4 months for surgery. Of which 48 are actively waiting, 6 are To Come Ins (they have dates for surgery), and 41 are suspended and 14 are on the planned procedure list.
I am sorry that any child and their family experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis. While I cannot comment on individual cases, the Chidren's Hospital Group advises that there are cases where a child has multiple clinical complexities and medical conditions that requires consultation between parents, several doctors and other clinical team members as part of planning treatment options. In these cases, the children’s hospitals are in regular contact with these families.
The Children's Hospital Group has advised that suspensions are managed in line with NTPF guidelines. Patients in the suspended category are those that are not clinically ready for surgery therefore at a point in time are not captured as part of the 4 month target. There is a plan in OLCHC to progress a clinical case management system to categorise and manage those patients who do not need to be on a waiting list. In reviewing these patients (on the suspended waiting list) there appears to be a number of patients who will be clinically deemed as not requiring surgery in 2018. These patients will be managed via the clinical case management system in the coming weeks in order to ensure that a safe, robust system is in place to support clinical decisions and case management.
The Children's Hospital advise that should any families wish to discuss their child’s care, that they contact the hospital directly.
