Delays to spinal surgeries despite state-of-the art theatre

A state-of-the-art children’s orthopaedic surgery theatre is not reaching its potential to dramatically reduce 15-month waiting times for major spinal operations because the HSE cannot get the personnel to adequately staff it.

According to the latest available figures, 12 children have been waiting between 15 and 18 months for spinal surgery and five have been waiting for more than 18 months.

Leading orthopaedic surgeon Pat Kiely confirmed the new theatre in Crumlin Children’s Hospital is being used for all spinal cases at the moment.