Children Awaiting Spinal Surgery May Be Treated Abroad Under New Plans

Some children seeking spinal surgeries may soon receive them abroad, according to new plans being finalised by Irish health authorities.

Under these plans, the Department of Health are to pay for the flights and accommodation of families seeking to travel abroad for surgeries. 

An agreement for these plans has been reached with the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, with the hospital offering treatment to a number of patients following a clinic held in Dublin by surgeons from hospitals.

London's Portland Hospital is also expected to provide treatment for patients, with talks to outsource agreements with Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital also ongoing.

The exact details are still to be finalised, but it is expected that dozens of children will benefit from this development, which has also involved the Independent Spinal Task Force, which is chaired by Mark Connaughton, which also met yesterday to review the process. 

The task forced have also stated that while the option of seeking treatment abroad is not suitable for all children waiting on spinal surgeries, dozens of families are still expected to be able to avail of the option to get their child's surgery at world class facilities.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has recently visited the facilities in the US, along with David Moore, head of the Paediatric Spinal Management Unit in Ireland. 

This development is aimed at trying to deal with the large backlog of spinal surgery in Ireland, while Children's Health Ireland build up its capacity under Mr Moore. 

Despite over 460 spinal surgeries being conducted by CHI last year, a long list still remains. Last year also saw a 42% increase in referrals to the waiting list. 

The total spinal surgery waiting list at CHI stands at 281 patients from last year, including children suffering with Spina Bifida. 

The HSE have said it is also engaging with CHI, the Blackrock Clinic, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, and the National Treatment Purchase Funds to ensure that they maximise capacity for spinal surgeries.