Fears children will become 'inoperable' due to staffing shortage at Temple Street Hospital

Una Keightley, co lead of the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group said the atmosphere across all CHI hospitals is 'sombre' and hearing about staff shortages is extremely frustrating.  Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

There are fears that children requiring spinal surgery at Temple Street hospital will become "inoperable" because of surgical delays caused by inadequate staffing levels.

It comes as a review into the death of Dollceanna Carter at the hospital is not yet complete, even though it was expected in October, the hospital has said.

The 10 year old girl died last year after operations for spina bifida and scoliosis in CHI at Temple Street. 

Her care was part of reviews into spina bifida surgeries and of a separate standalone review.

When Children’s Health Ireland CEO Eilish Hardiman spoke at the Oireachtas health committee on September 28, she said of this review: “It is still in progress and it is nearly completed. 

"It is quite well advanced and we anticipate it will be completed in October." 

However, a hospital spokeswoman said this month: “The review is ongoing and not completed at present.” 

Temple Street also faces serious challenges running operating theatres despite having opened a fifth just months ago to cope with the high demand.

This month two are closed for maintenance, the Department of Health told families.

In an email, seen by the Irish Examiner, an official said five theatres will be in use from January.

“The fifth theatre will only be operational two to three days a week — while it has infrastructural capacity to run the five days additional staffing [surgeons/nursing and support staff] are required for this," the official said. 

These delays have left the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group extremely worried.

Dollceanna Carter died last year after operations for spina bifida and scoliosis in CHI at Temple Street. A review into her death is not yet complete, even though it was expected in October.

Co-lead Una Keightley said the atmosphere across all CHI hospitals is “sombre” and hearing about staff shortages is extremely frustrating. 

“In these circumstances, one child has died and a couple of children have become inoperable while they’re waiting, probably a couple more will become inoperable, it’s just horrific,” she said.

She is one of four mothers, representing children with spina bifida and scoliosis, who called for urgent change. 

However, while there was discussion in September of bringing extra surgeons into Ireland or sending children abroad for treatment, she said nothing has happened.

“This is why we keep saying we need a taskforce,” she said.

“We need to start bringing people in and sending the kids, who can go abroad, abroad. 

"It’s very limited but there are a couple who could travel.” 

The Department of Health official also said four of 27 recommendations in a review of spinal surgery in Temple Street by Boston Children’s Hospital are complete.

A CHI spokeswoman said follow-up for families who attended a special clinic in late September to address concerns depends on need.

“As a result, some of the patients have been seen, others have been scheduled, and the remaining patients will be scheduled for follow up as clinically appropriate,” she said.

Requests for a second opinion on care will be facilitated and have been in some cases, she said.