Surgery plan for 70 children on waiting list

A PLAN to deal with 70 children awaiting spinal deformity surgery was outlined last night by the Health Service Executive.

The issue was highlighted during the summer by the parents of a little girl who had been waiting for life-saving spinal surgery at Our Lady’s Children Hospital in Dublin.

Jamie Murphy, 11, who suffers from severe and deteriorating scoliosis (curvature of the spine) is expected to undergo life-saving surgery in England today.

According to the HSE, a plan to address the waiting list for spinal deformity surgery has been agreed.

It said 70 patients awaiting spinal surgery would have the procedure undertaken at either Crumlin, the Children’s University Hospital Temple Street, the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght or Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital. All of the hospitals have begun contacting the patients and their families.

Last July, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London were forced to cancel Jamie’s operation because the risks were considered too high.

Her parents, Emer and Peter Murphy, sought treatment in London for their daughter earlier this year after claiming cutbacks at Crumlin had resulted in the cancellation of planned surgery.

The girl’s €50,000 treatment is being paid by an anonymous benefactor who contacted Green Party deputy leader, Mary White, after the TD highlighted her plight. Ms White, who has met parents of children needing similar surgical intervention, said she was delighted many of them now had dates for the operation to be performed in Ireland.