Orthopaedic surgery waiting lists
Deputy Kenny highlighted long waits for paediatric orthopaedic surgery, citing a child with spina bifida and a wider crisis in access. The Taoiseach accepted the problem, pointed to funding and planned capacity increases, and said urgent waiting lists must be tackled quickly.
I raise the matter of orthopaedic surgery waiting lists. I am not sure if the Taoiseach saw the reports over the weekend about a little girl called Ava Cahill. She has spina bifida and has been waiting more than a year and a half for corrective surgery. You would need a heart of stone not to be moved by Ava's situation. There are other children like Ava in Ireland waiting for corrective surgery. There is a crisis at the moment in orthopaedic surgery. Even the top leading surgeon in the country has said that the care provided is inadequate. He spoke with huge passion at the Joint Committee on Health last November about children who are suffering unnecessarily. The Government has a responsibility to address this with resources and not let these children suffer needlessly.
Comment on this
I fully accept what the Deputy is saying about orthopaedic waiting lists, particularly for children who require surgery, be that for spina bifida or scoliosis. Very substantial funding has been provided. Covid-19 unfortunately had an impact on waiting lists in 2020 and 2021 but there are plans to increase capacity in the existing orthopaedic centres and at Cappagh, the national orthopaedic hospital, to support paediatric orthopaedic services. That will form part of the 2022 waiting list action plan. We are going to have to concentrate very quickly on those who are waiting too long for urgent surgery.