No 'clear criteria' for international surgery initiative, advocates warn

Co-founder co-lead of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group Úna Keightley said while they welcomed progress on a travel plan first announced last September, families are confused. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Parents whose children have spina bifida and scoliosis are expected to make huge decisions around travelling as far as the US for treatment despite getting scant or vague details about what it entails, patient advocates have warned.

It was announced last month that hospitals including Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London would be involved, following growing fears that Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is unable to address waiting lists as numbers rise again.