Dozens of children requiring spinal surgeries will be able to receive them abroad in the UK or the US under plans being finalised by the Department of Health.
The move is an attempt to increase capacity and reduce waiting lists for children with scoliosis, with the backlog causing distress among parents and families as the young people’s conditions deteriorated while waiting intervention.
An agreement has been reached with Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York.
The department said while overseas treatment is not suitable for all children waiting on spinal surgeries, dozens of children and families will be able to avail of this option. It is understood that accommodation and flights for those travelling for surgeries will be organised and paid for by the State.
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Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly recently visited the US facility along with David Moore, head of the Paediatric Spinal Management Unit in Ireland. The Minister also visited a second hospital but discussions with it remains at an early stage.
Official figures for last month put the total spinal surgery waiting list at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at 281 patients, including those with spina bifida. Of those, 239 were on the active waiting list, while 42 were on the suspension waiting list.
The paediatric spinal taskforce said surgeons from New York will be travelling to Ireland shortly to meet patients who are suitable for, and interested in, travelling to get their procedures done more quickly.
“Following a clinic that was already held in Dublin by surgeons from Great Ormond Street, a number of patients have now been offered treatment abroad in that hospital,” the taskforce said.
Mr Donnelly welcomed the international outsourcing, but said he has “made it clear to CHI that we must build our own capacity in Ireland”.
“This is happening and I have worked closely with David Moore and the interim chief executive of CHI. A new operational plan will be brought to Cabinet in September and this will detail a significant, and rapid, fall in the number of patients waiting longer than four months for their care,” Mr Donnelly said.
Two years ago, Mr Donnelly was told by CHI it would ensure that no child would have to wait more than four months for spinal surgeries, including scoliosis procedures, by the end of that year. He then allocated €19 million specifically to reduce waiting times and improve spinal and orthopaedic services.
However, campaign groups warned this funding was not being used for its intended purpose. The Minister then requested an audit be carried into the use of the funds.
Speaking in the Seanad recently, he said: “I am awaiting the final report of this review. However, it is clear to me from initial discussions that the majority of that funding, intended for spinal services, was allocated far more broadly across Children’s Health Ireland.”
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