Review into death of Dollceanna Carter after Temple Street spinal operation still not complete

Dollceanna Carter died in September 2022 with her death the subject of a coroner’s review and a serious incident investigation by Children’s Health Ireland.

A review into the care of Dollceanna Carter, who died after a number of operations at Temple Street hospital is still not complete, despite being expected last October.

The little girl, 10, had spina bifida and scoliosis. She died in September 2022 with her death the subject of a coroner’s review and a serious incident investigation by Children’s Health Ireland.

Last September, CHI chief executive Eilish Hardiman spoke about Dollceanna to the Oireachtas Health Committee.

She said they would give the report to the Carter family and added: “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 spokeswoman has now said "the review is ongoing”, with further information available.

Niall Tansey, partner in Damien Tansey Solicitors, represents the family and has met the expert carrying out this review.

“He didn’t give any firm indication as to when his review will be completed, but he did commit to completing the review as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Carter family continues to grieve their daughter and sister, he said.

They want to see “ a thorough review, and one that is comprehensive” but are hopeful it will not take too long.

“The family have not complained to CHI, and they are trusting that the review is actively under way,” he said.

“They remain hopeful that they will get the results, comprehensive results, as quickly as possible. They still miss her a lot.”

Dollceana was one of 19 children whose care was part of the internal review of spinal surgical procedures ordered by the HSE last year.

This followed revelations unauthorised devices, described as springs, were implanted in three children by a surgeon who remains on leave.

Meanwhile, delays in accessing spinal care continue to face families.

The latest data from CHI, up to March 22, shows 240 children on waiting lists - CHI said a surgeon appointed in the last six months is increasing the workload.

The spokeswoman could not confirm how long each child had been waiting.

From later this week, CHI will publish a new newsletter at the start of each month with “waiting list and activity data and contact information pathways for spinal patients”, she said.

This “should allay the need for ad-hoc data requests, and allow our spinal team staff to prioritise clinical work,” she added.

CHI also said a new operating theatre at Temple Street would only begin five-day-a-week operations from this week.

This theatre was opened publicly in October last year, bringing to five the number on site.

It was funded through a €19m tranche allocated by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. The HSE has begun an audit of this spending.

“The fifth theatre is currently operating three days per week and will be increasing this to 5 days per week from April 1, 2024,” the spokeswoman said.

It has “12 additional operating sessions per month allocated to orthopaedics. Spinal surgery is included in these sessions.”

A number of reviews continue linked to concerns around children’s spinal care, including an external review by Selvadurai Nayagam, a surgeon from Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospitals for the HSE.

His first interim report is not expected before the end of this month.