Health watchdog Hiqa to review use of springs in spinal surgeries at Temple Street Hospital

Hiqa published terms of reference on Friday which specify assessment will take place of the governance, leadership and management arrangements at CHI around use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices.

The use of unapproved springs in children’s surgery in CHI at Temple Street Hospital is to be examined by the health watchdog Hiqa in a review to be partially completed by year’s end.

Earlier this year, Children’s Health Ireland said three children had unapproved devices, described as springs, implanted during spinal surgery. 

A number of other reviews have already started into a range of issues, but the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said it would focus on the springs and processes in place at the hospital which allowed them to be used.

Sean Egan, director of healthcare regulation, said: “It is essential that children and their families, as well as the wider public, can be assured that surgical services are safe, and that appropriate governance structures are in place.” 

He said they would examine “the end-to-end processes around any use of non-CE spring implants during spinal surgery”.

This will also include controls, oversight processes and governance arrangements in place within all CHI hospitals and services in this area, he said.

Throughout the review, Hiqa will engage with the families impacted by surgical practices at CHI Temple Street.

“Their experiences will inform our findings and will be reflected in our recommendations for improvement of children’s services.” 

Hiqa published terms of reference on Friday which specify assessment will take place of the governance, leadership and management arrangements at CHI around use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices.

The hospital will be measured against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.

The first phase of the review will focus on how these three devices were passed through the system, and the second phase will look at wider issues.

A key issue for the review team will be how the needs of children and families using the services are being met, Hiqa said.

“On conclusion of phase 1 and no later than the end of 2023, Hiqa will brief the Minister for Health on initial interim phase 1 relevant findings,” the terms state.

After the second phase, a report with recommendations will be published.

In late September, the HSE announced an external review of spinal surgeries for children with spina bifida, being run by Liverpool-based consultant Selvadurai Nayagam.

He has met with some advocates and health officials already but many of the 19 families directly impacted do not wish to engage with the review as it is currently set out.