November: Progress update from CHI’s Spinal Surgery Management Unit

• 484 patients have had their spinal surgery between Jan-November 2024.
• Number of spinal surgeries carried out this year will exceed 500 by end of 2024.
• 12 year old+ patients can now be treated in Blackrock Clinic.
• 19 additional MRIs under general anaesthetic carried out since September in CHI at Crumlin under new initiative.

Today, Friday 13th December 2024, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has published its monthly Spinal Surgery Waiting and Activity Lists. The report shows that (as of end of November 2024) 484 patients have had their spinal surgery this year. CHI’s Spinal Surgery Management Unit will exceed 500 surgeries by the end of this year.

Further progress made by the Spinal Surgery Management Unit this month includes:

Younger patients in Blackrock Clinic

43 patients have had their spinal surgery in Blackrock between January and November.

Most recently, Blackrock has been in a position to take younger (12 year old+) patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Members of CHI’s nursing team were on site in Blackrock for the first of these surgeries to support the nursing team with training in looking after younger patients.

Saturday Clinics

A special Saturday out-patient clinic will take place this month, with a focus on adolescent patients who have been waiting for their first consultation but may be too old to receive their care with Children's Health Ireland. 40 patients over the age of 16 will meet orthopaedic consultants from both CHI and The Mater, to discuss their most appropriate care pathway.

MRI Scans

Many spinal patients need an MRI prior to their spinal surgery, and some need an MRI under General Anaesthetic. Due to the productivity of a fortnightly meeting between Clinical Speciality Leads in Radiology and Orthopaedics and Clinical Nurse Specialists for Spinal Disorders, there is currently no significant waiting list for a non-general anaesthetic MRI for a child referred from the spinal service. For spinal patients who require a general anaesthetic, the majority have planned appointments based on their clinical urgency. Since September, we have completed 19 additional MRI under GA in Crumlin through this initiative.

Successful spinal surgeries abroad:

In total to date, 18 patients have confirmed they will have their spinal surgery in either London or New York. A number of these patients have already had their spinal surgeries, the first of whom was Zoe. Zoe is now back home and back to school. Zoe’s Mum, Susan, said:

“Zoe underwent spinal fusion surgery October in the New York Presbyterian Hospital. The surgery was a great success and the care she was given was outstanding. Post surgery, Zoe had a very talented plastic surgeon close her incision to ensure minimal scaring. Zoe had round-the-clock care for the next six days. Between the team in CHI and the team in New York, Zoe was so cared for. Our experience was fantastic. We are beyond grateful to everyone who made this this possible and the fantastic staff in CHI at Crumlin who continue to care for Zoe now that she is back home.”

About the Spinal Surgery Management Unit:

In February 2024, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) established a team called the Spinal Surgery Management Unit. The aim of the Spinal Services Management Unit is to build a safe and world-class spinal service, which treats children and young people in a timely and patient-centered way.