The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today informed the Government that the number of children on the active waiting list for spinal surgery is expected to fall from 129 to 87 by the end of the year.
The number of children waiting more than four months for surgery is also expected to fall from 72 to 20, according to detailed projections produced by the Paediatric Spinal Services Management Unit in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). This will mean a 77% reduction on the 86 children waiting in excess of four months at the start of the year.
These reductions in surgical waiting times are being achieved despite an increase in additions to the surgical list due to significantly higher numbers of outpatient clinics being held.
Several initiatives are underway to ensure that children receive faster access to care, including arrangements with hospitals abroad, an increase in procedures at a number of Irish hospitals, additional outpatient clinics and recruitment of specialist staff to support these spinal services.
Minister Donnelly has also asked CHI to start publishing details of the number of children waiting aligned with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) time bands.
Minister Donnelly, said:
“I’m pleased to report that we are making strong progress in tackling paediatric spinal surgery waiting lists, and we’re now seeing that the significant level of investment is resulting in more children getting faster access to care.
“I’m very conscious of the fact that some children are still waiting too long for care, which is not acceptable, and I am working closely with the HSE and CHI to ensure that everything possible is being done to provide timely treatment that will greatly improve quality of life.
“I have asked CHI to ensure that after Christmas, any child waiting longer than four months will, if clinically suitable, and in consultation with their treating clinician, be offered surgery overseas.
“CHI has said that the additional consultants being hired, coupled with additional investment already made, will ensure enough surgical capacity to meet the needs of the paediatric spinal service in future.”
