The investment in paediatric orthopaedics this year, to include scoliosis services, has already improved access for surgery and out-patient review to address the lengthy waiting times experienced by children and young people with scoliosis. The impact of investment is now starting to deliver results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded. Since January there is an 18% reduction in waiting times for access to surgery at the end of August.
The Children's Hospital Group advises that these initiatives and developments have meant that the use of overseas services has reduced in 2018 as activity and capacity has increased within the Children’s Hospital Group and Cappagh Hospital.
For the period 1 January 2018 to 27 August 2018 one spinal surgery was carried out abroad in the UK.
Waiting 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.
