Review into children's spinal care at hospital still in first phase two years after it started

The HSE is unable to give a completion date for the external review into spinal care at Temple Street hospital. File photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

An external review into spinal care at Temple Street hospital, which began in September 2023, is still only at phase one with no date for completion given to the HSE.

The review, led by Dr Selvadurai Nayagam, is a key report together with continuing probes into spinal and hip surgeries at Children’s Health Ireland hospitals.

It’s main focus is the work of one surgeon – Connor Greene who is on extended leave – as well as poor surgical outcomes in spinal surgery and three non-medical devices (springs) which were placed into children’s spines.

The review caused division among parents’ groups with two of the largest advocacy groups declining to get involved due to its narrow remit.

One advocate involved, Gerry Maguire at Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, said that interviews with their families finished some time ago.

“I’m attending a Spinal Taskforce meeting later this month, and I hope to have further clarification then on when the report will be published,” he said on Tuesday. “I look forward to the report.” 

He stressed it should help make care for children with spina bifida hydrocephalus “much better than in the past”.

A HSE spokeswoman said the review remains “entirely independent”. 

“We are not aware of a completion date at this time but the review is progressing with phase one going through due process,” she said.

Other reviews

Separately, CHI is still continuing with a review into the death of 10-year-old Dollceanna Carter in September 2022 after a number of operations. 

She had scoliosis and spina bifida hydrocephalus. This review was due to be completed by October 2023, according to former CHI CEO Eilish Hardiman.

About 1,800 children affected by the separate hip dysplasia controversy continue to get follow-up on these surgeries after a report indicated many of these were unnecessary.

Linked to this report, the HSE is also overseeing an external assessment by international experts of patient files. This is expected to take six months and begin in January.

Families and staff affected by these reviews are also waiting on the new children's hospital to open. 

A spokeswoman for national paediatric hospital development board (NPHDB) said BAM issued its latest programme update on August 28 and this is now being assessed.

There is now external conjecture the end date could be as late as November instead of later this month.