Hospital Services

Wednesday, 3 July 2024

Ceisteanna (189)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the ongoing review into the surgical management of developmental dysplasia of the hip at Cappagh and Temple Street Children’s Hospitals; if he is aware that the review was instituted in response to concerns in relation to the number of procedures taking place that may not meet the generally accepted threshold for surgery; if he is aware that a recent FOI request revealed that approximately 40% of these procedures were funded privately in Cappagh; if he has any concerns in relation to profit being a potential driver in any of this surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28442/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department was informed by the HSE, on May 9th 2024, that a clinical audit of surgery for children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) was to be conducted by an external expert.

My Department was advised that this matter arose following raising of issues internally within CHI, and that the purpose of this audit is to assess surgical practice for this cohort across Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC), in line with international standards and practices.

The HSE has further advised that an international expert paediatric surgeon has been identified to conduct the audit and preliminary planning is underway. We await the outcome of the clinical audit before we can draw conclusions.