Hospital waiting lists increase, including for scoliosis patients, as public inquiry into delays for children promised

"The number of children actively waiting on spinal surgery lists increased last month, in line with a national rise in surgery queues for all patients, as a statutory inquiry has been promised into the care of young patients with scoliosis and spina bifida. New figures released today show that 139 children were on the active waiting list in Children's Health Ireland (CHI) for spinal surgery last month, up from 129 in September."

"The health service has seen significant progress in reducing the length of time patients are waiting under the multi annual action plan approach, including a reduction of around 55pc or 155,000 less patients waiting over 12 months since September 2021. In the same period, there was an improvement of around 44pc or 5.4 months in the weighted average wait time that patients across waiting lists have been waiting."

"The figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show 103,573 children and adults on the active waiting list for inpatient and day surgery. Another 34,661 patients were waiting to receive an appointment for their gastrointestinal scans and 626,960 patients are waiting for a first hospital outpatient consultation. The worsening figures come as hospitals head in to worst months for overcrowding as the rise in flu and other respiratory infections put pressure on beds."

Active waiting lists for spinal surgery among children increased, with 139 children on Children's Health Ireland's list in October, up from 129 in September. The number of children waiting over a year fell from 12 in September to eight in October. A public statutory inquiry into care for children with spina bifida and scoliosis has been promised, with a mediator to liaise with parent advocacy groups on terms of reference. Nationally, 103,573 patients are on the active inpatient and day-surgery waiting list, 34,661 await gastrointestinal scan appointments, and 626,960 await a first hospital outpatient consultation. Hospitals face increased pressure from seasonal respiratory infections.

Read at Irish Independent