Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
889. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she was made aware of any reports which cited concerns regarding sub-optimal care for children with spina bifida at CHI Crumlin; if she will name the report; if she will ensure that the children are identified and parents notified of the findings of such a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32580/25]
View answerI note Children’s Health Ireland's (CHI) publication of a summary of the internal examination (2022) on 16 June. This is available at: www.childrenshealthireland.ie/news/summary-of-findings-recommendations-and-updates-regarding-the-examination-of-a-particular-clinical-department-in-childrens-health-ireland-chi/.
A succession of extant and pending reports have raised corporate and clinical governance concerns at CHI. In response to these, I have moved to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI by appointing two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI.
The service level agreement between CHI and the HSE has been strengthened in relation to operational oversight. There has also been increased involvement and support from the HSE's Dublin Midlands regional executive officer and senior management.
CHI's CEO is restructuring the Clinical Directorate, the recruitment of clinical speciality leads is underway, and centralised referral is now being mandated across all CHI surgical services.
It is important that CHI is given the support and the time to continue the significant reform underway across both current services and in preparation for the new children’s hospital.
