Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane TD has called on the Government to urgently address the long surgical wait times for children with scoliosis and spina bifida. He said the waiting lists are again at crisis point with parents left heartbroken and at their wits’ end as 313 children with scoliosis now are waiting for life changing surgery. 

Speaking today, Teachta Cullinane said:

“The number of children waiting for scoliosis surgery stood at 313 at the end of January. Many children are waiting in extreme pain for life changing surgeries. Families are heartbroken as they feel their pleas for help are ignored.

“Successive Ministers for Health promised that no child with scoliosis or spina bifida would wait longer than 4 months for treatment. And yet this stands as another broken promise.

“Last week I met parents of children who are waiting for urgent treatment and in extreme pain. They are rightly demanding urgent action from Government. They feel let down and demoralised. They need a plan and a proper resourcing of children’s orthopaedic services.  

“This is an issue not just for the Minister for Health. It is an issue for the entire cabinet, Government and the political system. However the Minister for Health has a responsibility to deliver. He needs to bring an urgent plan to cabinet on increasing capacity, reducing wait times and funding treatment abroad for those who wish to avail of it.”