Situation for children needing scoliosis surgery critical, says ombudsman for children
Ombudsman for children, Dr Niall Muldoon voiced concern that the issue risks 'falling off the priority list once again'. Picture: Gareth Chaney
A five-year wait for spinal fusion surgery has resulted in life-long medical struggles for one young woman, the ombudsman for children has said.
A report published on Wednesday warned that the situation for children needing scoliosis surgery in Ireland remains critical while offering an update on the case of the now-22 year old.
Ivy — not her real name — first brought a complaint about access to scoliosis surgery to the Ombudsman for Children's Office in 2020 and then underwent the procedure the following year.
Born with neuromuscular scoliosis, cerebral palsy and suffering hip dysplasia, Ivy's spinal curvature went from 30 degrees to over 135 degrees over the five-year period she was waiting for her surgery.
Now, spinal surgeons have deemed it too risky for Ivy to undergo the hip surgery that she needs as the condition of her hips has worsened.
"Sadly for Ivy and her family, the medical struggles continue and will need to be managed over the course of her life," said Dr Niall Muldoon, ombudsman for children.
"We know that as of September, there were 264 children still waiting for this vital treatment and whose conditions may be deteriorating as a result."
Dr Muldoon said the update on Ivy comes at a time when the situation for children needing scoliosis surgery "remains critical".
He voiced concern that the issue risks "falling off the priority list once again" as the country faces into a general election.
It was also noted that there was no specific funding allocated to tackling the spinal surgery waiting lists in Budget 2025.
Revelations in recent months, including concerns raised by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that €19m specifically committed for scoliosis treatment was not spent as intended, have "resulted in the breakdown of trust in the already fraught relationships" between families and Children's Health Ireland (CHI).
The ombudsman report last year had recommended the CHI re-engage with Ivy and her parents in an effort to demonstrate an understanding of the learning taken from her case.
A meeting did take place and an apology was offered for the handling of Ivy's medical care pathway, however she said it felt like a formality and "lacked an appreciation for her past and current circumstances".
Ivy also said that CHI did not come to meet her and as a result she had to travel three hours which she found very painful and no arrangements were made to facilitate parking in or near the hospital causing "great inconvenience" as a wheelchair user.
Dr Muldoon said CHI has made progress on some recommendations made in relation to Ivy's case but structures in administration and planning are "still not good enough".
"It is now for CHI to see that these efforts to improve the fundamentals have a positive impact on children with scoliosis," said Dr Muldoon.
