Written Answers Nos. 145-150
145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic outpatient department clinics cancelled during 2019 in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; the way in which cancellations are managed; the way in which patients are informed of cancellations; the policy of the hospital in regard to cancelled OPD clinics; and the way in which children are safeguarded during clinic cancellations. [15842/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of suspended scoliosis cases across Children's Health Ireland; and if these are managed in line with National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, guidelines. [15844/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of TCI scoliosis cases across Children's Health Ireland; and if these are managed in line with National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, guidelines. [15845/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for scoliosis surgery across Children's Health Ireland by hospital and category of wait list, in tabular form. [15846/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 to 149, inclusive, together.
The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services is a priority for my Department and for the HSE, and the impact of investment and the implementation of the Scoliosis 10 Point Action Plan is now delivering results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded.
Children's Health Ireland (CHI) advise that the total number of surgeries performed in 2018 was 418 compared with 371 in 2017. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
CHI advise that as of the 29th March 2019 there were 174 patients on the Total Spinal Waiting List (including suspensions). This is a reduction of 26% (61 patients) since the same period last year when there were 235 patients on the Total Spinal Waiting List. Furthermore, the number of patients suspended has decreased by 77% in the same period, down from 64 at the end of March 2018 to 15 at the end of March 2019.
CHI is currently recruiting two additional general orthopaedic consultants which will further reduce waiting times for children for an orthopaedic outpatient appointment. More broadly, all patient referrals to the orthopaedic spinal service at CHI are reviewed and clinically prioritised by a consultant. These patients are seen in order of clinical priority. Most patients are seen within 12 months.
An additional 800 Outpatient appointments were given to patients in CHI at Crumlin in 2018 compared to 2017, which led to a 31% reduction in the overall orthopaedic outpatient waiting list.
The Department of Health is working closely with CHI with the aim of supporting the further development of a sustainable scoliosis service and ensuring that the on-going demand for services is met.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy in relation to the number and management of cancellations at Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
146. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the newly installed EOS scanner in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin will be available to all children across Children's Health Ireland (details supplied). [15843/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have referred your question to Children's Health Ireland for direct reply.
150. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the admission of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15850/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
