CHI issue tender for 'world-class hospitals' outside Ireland to treat spina bifida and scoliosis patients

David Cullinane, Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson, said while he welcomed the proposal from CHI, it must not be used as a stand-in for building more capacity for spinal surgeries at Irish hospitals. File photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

Proposals from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) to treat spina bifida and scoliosis patients in “world-class hospitals” outside its remit have been cautiously welcomed.

Tender documents published by CHI on Wednesday have called for applications by hospitals to carry out a minimum of 10 spinal surgeries by the end of the year. The call for hospitals to carry out spinal surgeries comes as a bid to cut the number of children on spina bifida and scoliosis surgery waiting lists.