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Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Ceisteanna (590)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

590. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total number of children currently on waiting lists for appointments, treatment, surgery or diagnosis for scoliosis by county and the length of time they have spent on the waiting lists. [58714/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Children with a range of needs rely on the orthopaedic service of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Scoliosis activity accounts for approximately 17% of inpatient orthopaedic activity across CHI. The complex patient needs of these children remains at the forefront of service provision.

Children’s Health Ireland continues to examine new and innovative ways to improve access to orthopaedic services. “Cappagh Kids” at the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional theatre capacity for non-complex, age appropriate, orthopaedic procedures, freeing up much needed space at central CHI sites for children with complex, multi-disciplinary needs. Additional orthopaedic outpatient sessions are also now held at Cappagh, providing additional capacity to see and assess children on the outpatient waiting list.

In addition, a fast-track orthopaedic pathway has been developed as part of outpatient reduction plans. Paediatric Active Clinical Triage has already been introduced for the longest waiters ( over12 months) on the paediatric outpatient list

Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.

In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy regarding the number of children on waiting lists for appointments, treatment, surgery or diagnosis for scoliosis by county and the length of time they have spent on the waiting lists, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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