Children’s Health Ireland has advised that there are currently six surgeons that have traditionally performed kyphectomies. Three of these surgeons are actively doing kyphectomies. CHI has advised that there are no new surgeon posts being advertised as CHI deems there are an adequate number of surgeons capable of performing kyphectomies.
A dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit has been established in Children's Health Ireland and the Clinical Specialty Lead for Spinal Surgery commenced in post in January 2024. This Unit, which is coordinated cross-city, is focusing on the management and delivery of spinal surgery, including reform of the waiting lists.
I also intend to convene a dedicated stakeholder taskforce, with an independent chair, for these services. This Taskforce will include all stakeholders, including patient representatives and clinicians. I met with some patient advocacy groups on the 19th of February to discuss the terms of reference for this taskforce. Patient advocates were clear about what they want this new Taskforce to do and, in collaboration with the advocacy groups, work is progressing on drafting these terms of reference.
I committed €19 million under the Waiting List Action Plans to tackle waiting lists for Scoliosis and Spina Bifida. This investment has supported an increase in the number of spinal procedures undertaken in both 2022 and 2023, with 509 and 464 procedures carried out respectively, compared to 380 in 2019. I will continue to drive progress on Scoliosis and Spina Bifida services as priority areas under the Waiting List Action Plan 2024.
