Delays in scoliosis treatment for Mayo children "alarming" - TD
A Mayo TD has brought attention to a concerning situation involving a young girl from Mayo who has been on a nearly three-year-long waitlist for scoliosis surgery.
Deputy Alan Dillon expressed his concern in Dáil Éireann over the ongoing delay in surgeries for children suffering from scoliosis, a condition that significantly impacts their quality of life.
He reminded the chamber that a commitment was made by the Department of Health in 2017, assuring that children diagnosed with scoliosis would not wait more than four months for surgery.
Despite this promise, he emphasized that wait times continue to exceed the proposed timeframe.
Deputy Dillon said: "In Mayo alone, several children, beyond the promised four-month window, are awaiting their turn for surgery.
"Among them is 13-year-old Leah Heneghan from Tourmakeady, waiting for the past three years for her spinal fusion surgery that could drastically improve her life quality.
"She and her family have been making regular trips to Dublin since her diagnosis at the age of ten.
"Leah's initial treatment involved a body brace, which she has now outgrown.
"While her orthopaedic surgeon in Dublin assured her that surgery would take place as soon as a bed becomes available, no such bed has been found yet.
"The surgeon's busy schedule led to Leah's case being transferred to another specialist, which implies restarting the pre-operative checks - a physically and emotionally demanding process for the family.
“The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone in Leah's life that the family hoped would coincide with her successful surgery.
"Despite their daily efforts to reach the hospital for updates, the family has received no concrete information due to the pressure on medical professionals and staff."
With Leah's worsening condition and the inability to secure an appointment for a new body brace, Deputy Dillon urged Deputy James Browne to communicate the urgent need for immediate intervention to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.
The Mayo TD emphasised the unacceptable reality of young children and teenagers living in pain due to delayed surgeries, despite assurances given.
The lack of activity participation due to their condition exacerbates their distress.
The need for sufficient funding, recruitment of specialists, and immediate surgeries is crucial for children like Leah in Mayo and across the country, stressed Deputy Dillon.
* See detailed report in tomorrow's issue of The Connaught Telegraph.