Minister for Health updates Government on progress in reducing the paediatric spinal surgery waiting list
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 22 October 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today informed the government that the number of children on the active waiting list for spinal surgery is expected to fall from 129 to 87 by the end of the year.
The number of children waiting more than four months for surgery is also expected to fall from 72 to 20, according to detailed projections produced by the Paediatric Spinal Services Management Unit in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). This will mean a 77% reduction on the 86 children waiting in excess of four months at the start of the year.
These reductions in surgical waiting times are being achieved despite an increase in additions to the surgical list due to significantly higher numbers of outpatient clinics being held.
Several initiatives are underway to ensure that children receive faster access to care, including arrangements with hospitals abroad, an increase in procedures at a number of Irish hospitals, additional outpatient clinics and recruitment of specialist staff to support these spinal services.
Minister Donnelly has also asked CHI to start publishing details of the number of children waiting aligned with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) time bands.
Minister Donnelly said:
"I’m pleased to report that we are making strong progress in tackling paediatric spinal surgery waiting lists, and we’re now seeing that the significant level of investment is resulting in more children getting faster access to care.
"I’m very conscious of the fact that some children are still waiting too long for care, which is not acceptable, and I am working closely with the HSE and CHI to ensure that everything possible is being done to provide timely treatment that will greatly improve quality of life.
"I have asked CHI to ensure that after Christmas, any child waiting longer than four months will, if clinically suitable, and in consultation with their treating clinician, be offered surgery overseas.
"CHI has said that the additional consultants being hired, coupled with additional investment already made, will ensure enough surgical capacity to meet the needs of the paediatric spinal service in future."
Notes
In 2022, €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to tackle spinal surgery waiting lists by creating additional capacity. This includes the hiring of additional staff; a fifth theatre in Temple Street which opened in October 2023, an additional MRI scanner which was installed in October 2023, 24 beds which are all open and operational; and further activity and paediatric theatre lists at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC).
There was a significant increase in the number of paediatric spinal procedures carried out in 2022 and 2023. By 18 October this year over 400 spinal procedures have been undertaken, which is ahead of the activity undertaken at the same time in 2023.
CHI and the NOHC are projected to carry out 557 procedures in 2024, an increase of 93 procedures compared to 2023. Initiatives are also underway at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Blackrock Clinic.
There has been a significant increase in the number of outpatients being seen, with 335 patients scheduled across seven clinics since April 2024, in addition to the patients who are being seen at existing clinics. Three additional Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons, a Consultant Paediatrician with a special interest in neurodisability, and a Consultant Anaesthetists are being hired to support these spinal services.
Patients who are suitable are being offered treatments abroad in Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York, Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and Portland Hospital UK. As of September, 20 patients were confirmed for treatment abroad.
The dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit established in CHI is coordinating spinal services across hospitals to drive continuous improvement; addressing challenges across the service; managing the delivery of spinal surgery; implementing the operational plan; monitoring, managing, and reporting on spinal surgery waiting lists; proactively managing all insourcing and outsourcing; and ensuring coordinated and robust stakeholder engagement.
Further funding of €1.34 million was allocated earlier this year to enhance spinal services following a request from the new clinical lead. This includes additional staff, Saturday outpatient clinics, and additional MRI scans under general anaesthetic. 14 additional staff are being brought on board to support spinal services including five consultants, five nurses, two health and social care professions, and two administration staff. Seven of these additional staff have commenced in post, with seven in progress.