Children’s Health Ireland to send children with scoliosis abroad for spinal surgery

Earlier this month, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) said that around 70 children are waiting more than four months for surgery despite a promise by the government that no child would wait longer than this from the end of 2022.  File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Dozens of children suffering with scoliosis are to be sent abroad in order to access spinal surgery, it has been announced.

The decision to send children to facilities including Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in New York and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has been taken in order to address long waiting lists.

Earlier this month, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) said that around 70 children are waiting more than four months for surgery despite a promise by the government that no child would wait longer than this from the end of 2022. 

According to the Paediatric Spinal Taskforce, there was a 42% increase in additions to the spinal fusion surgery list in 2023 compared to 2018. The option to go abroad for treatment will not be suitable for all patients, but those who are will be fully supported with the package including flights and accommodation.

A number of patients have already been offered treatment in London and surgeons from New York will be travelling to Ireland shortly to meet with patients suitable for travel abroad.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has visited the New York hospital and said he was "hugely impressed" with its facilities. He also visited a second prospective hospital in the city but those discussions remain at an early stage. 

Joining forces with international collaborators was something that was requested by patient advocates but Mr Donnelly said that CHI must also build on our own capacity.

National outsourcing initiatives are also being implemented at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh and the Blackrock Clinic with the aim to free up capacity for more complex spinal surgeries at CHI. 

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An extended operating theatre day is being implemented at CHI and, as requested by Mr Donnelly, CHI has ringfenced a theatre for spinal surgery so these patients receive priority access.

Non-complex orthopaedic work is also being re-directed away from the spinal surgeons at CHI so those experts can concentrate on the children needing spinal procedures.

An out-patient spinal initiative is in progress with the aim of seeing 240 new referrals across six additional 'mega clinics' by the end of September. These will be in addition to those seen at existing clinics, of which four have been undertaken with 168 new referral patients seen.

Mr Donnelly said that a new operational plan will be brought to Cabinet in September which will detail a "significant and rapid" fall in the number of patients waiting longer than four months for care.