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A two-year-old child in Ireland had to have one of their limbs amputated because the surgery for limb reconstruction was “not available”, the Seanad has heard.
Speaking in the chamber on Thursday during the Order of Business, Independent Senator Tom Clonan said that he had remarked previously about the waiting lists for spinal surgery for scoliosis sufferers in the Children’s Hospital Ireland group.
“Despite the commitments given by the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, that the waiting lists would be reduced, we still have hundreds of children on that waiting list suffering and deteriorating with life-altering and life-limiting consequences,” he said.
“Since I spoke yesterday, I have had a volume of correspondence from parents of children on that list. It is not just spinal surgery.”
Clonan went on to outline the story of one mother who had reached out to him.
“One mum contacted me yesterday to tell me of a two-year-old who has had to have a limb amputated because the surgery for limb reconstruction was not available,” he said.
“What kind of a Republic is this where a two-year-old has an unnecessary amputation? We should be ashamed of ourselves. I have called this out for quite some time. This is unacceptable.”
Clonan went on to assert that the State is failing disabled children.
“There is another situation where children are not getting botox injections to the bladder, which prevents urine going back up into the kidneys,” he said.
“These are children with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other conditions who will be forced to go on dialysis and who, at some point, may experience kidney failure.
“This is unheard of in other European Union countries. What is going on? It is an absolute travesty. This is an international scandal.
“Before we go into recess, I prevail on the Leader to ask the Minister what is going on. We cannot continue to fail disabled children in this way.”
Fianna Fáil Senator and Leader of the Seanad Lisa Chambers responded by saying “I take on board the point the Senator made,” but that she wasn’t familiar with the case.
“I am not aware of the detail of the case of the two-year-old about whom the Senator spoke. If what he said on the floor of the House is what happened, it is absolutely appalling,” she said.
The Senator went on to outline an overview of the Irish health service’s performance.
“There are many good things happening in our health service and we deliver well in some areas,” she said.
“We have the longest life expectancy in Europe. We are living longer. There are many good things. We have done well in respect of cancer care and cardiac and stroke issues.
“However, when it comes to paediatric care, we are falling short on the scoliosis issue. It is not just the Minister of Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who has tried to work in that regard. Previous Ministers for Health promised to end waiting lists.
“I do not know what we are finding difficult to deal with. I understand it is difficult to get the surgeons required to do this work because it is so complex. At this stage, children must be prioritised and their healthcare must come first.”
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