The process for dealing with children requiring spinal surgery has to change, the chair of Oireachtas Health Committee has said, as the current system is unfair and wrong.
The Government has faced criticism from some patients’ advocacy groups on the terms of the HSE-commissioned review into children’s spinal surgeries.
Liverpool-based orthopaedics expert Selvadurai Nayagam has been appointed by the HSE to undertake a review that was triggered by concerns over the post-operative outcomes of several children with serious spinal conditions who had been operated on by a surgeon at Temple Street hospital in Dublin.
The use of a spring-type device in some surgeries at the Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospital is also being examined.
Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe said children were languishing on long lists and apologies and reviews were not enough. He said the Oireachtas Health Committee would ask questions in an effort to find out what happened at Temple Street Hospital and CHI.
He told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: “The system has to change. So let us hope this will shine a light and bring in some sort of solution, some sort of services, some sort of care for these families. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. It's not about scoring points in the Dáil. It's not about speeches around it. The most important thing is these children who are suffering. And we have to come up with solutions for them and care for these children.”
Mr Crowe said children were waiting years to get spinal surgery and care. “We were told at one time it would take only two to four months for a child to get care. We now know that it's been going on years.” The number did not seem to be reducing at all, he said.
“It's families and children who are suffering right across the political spectrum. We all want to see something done about these kids. We were told that they would be prioritised, but clearly that hasn't happened within the system. So I suppose some of the questions are going to be asked today – why has this not happened?”
