Liam Dennehy scoliosis delay
Deputy Cullinane raised Liam Dennehy’s urgent scoliosis case and the Taoiseach said he had sought a direct health update, while stressing he could not promise clinical appointments on the floor of the Dáil.
Liam Dennehy is 13 years old and is from Fossa in County Kerry. Just over one year ago his spine started to shift. On his first X-ray Liam's spine was at 35°. By November it was at 85°. It was evident then that he needed surgery urgently. Five months later not only has he not received his surgery he has not even received a date for surgery. His mam, Pamela, has described his condition as "horrendous, just pain, just constant pain". The pain is affecting Liam's ability to eat and be fed. He cannot leave hospital because he might need medical assistance at any moment from choking episodes caused by his scoliosis. If he is left much longer he may become inoperable or so malnourished that he will not be fit for surgery. Liam needs that surgery today not in four months, not in four weeks, not in four days but today. Will the Taoiseach tell this House and Liam's family when Liam will get his surgery and what more can be done to support children with scoliosis?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Cullinane for raising this matter and bringing Liam's case to my attention. Deputy Healy-Rae also wrote to me on this issue today about Liam. I thank both Deputies for highlighting the case. I have contacted the office of the Minister for Health to seek a direct update for the Deputy. As the Deputy will be aware it is not within my gift to make commitments around clinical appointments on the floor of the Dáil but it is right and proper that the Deputy raised it with me and it is right and proper that I get an update for the Deputy.
The Deputy also asked quite rightly what more we can do around investing and supporting the provision of children's spinal services. I did talk with the Deputy about this in this House last week and about the fact that a clinical lead Mr. David Moore had been appointed by the Minister for Health. Since Mr. Moore's appointment I understand that the Minister has allocated further funding of €1.34 million to enhance spinal services in Children's Health Ireland, CHI, following a request from Mr. Moore. That is just a direct answer to the issue the Deputy raised last week.