11. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the mechanism by which parents whose children were and are deemed to need hip dysplasia surgery at CHI hospitals at Temple Street and Cappagh will be able to get independent second opinions by experts of their choosing paid for by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33749/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I want to ask the Minister the mechanism by which parents whose children are deemed to need hip dysplasia surgery at CHI hospitals such as Temple Street and Cappagh will be able to get independent second opinions by experts of their choosing, paid for by the HSE? I have spoken to the Minister on this previously and I believe she was working with Bernard Gloster on finding a solution to this issue, which is absolutely necessary.

Sentiment score: 0.20

I do not think anyone will disagree with the assertion that we have had an absolute disaster and failure around children's care. Many have gone through operations they did not need. We need to deal with those children and make sure they are reviewed correctly and properly from a medical point of view and that they get the correct pathways afterwards. I bring it up and brought it up before because I am thinking of a case in my constituency. A mam has three kids, two of whom had the operation. She has the question mark over their care, whether they needed the operations and all those terrible questions she is dealing with. She has another child who was to have an operation. We are talking about osteotomies. Her issue previously was it was delayed. Most people would believe what a medical expert tells them about whether an operation is needed.

Sentiment score: -0.07

I appreciate the timelines. The clinical review is six months and the Minister is saying it is September for the expert review process. The terms of reference are not set. We would like to think this will deal with the issue of the considerable timeline that would need to be taken into account, the huge number of cases and the disparity. In the case of my constituent, can we find a process to ensure she can get the follow-up care for her daughters and can get an independent review she can trust in relation to her other child, who has been told she needs surgery? Trust is at an all-time low in relation to CHI. We need this work done as soon as possible. I ask the Minister to take into account many of the cases we have brought forward, particularly the parents who got reviews and, on that basis, did not go ahead with operations. I brought an issue like that to the Minister previously.

Sentiment score: 0.28

12. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the orthodontic services waiting list initiative for grade 5 patients; the location and number of successful tenderers; the number of patients it is anticipated will be seen in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33748/25]

Sentiment score: 0.29

This is a particular issue and there is huge cohort, in particular in the Louth hospital in Dundalk. Those with grade 4 issues were dealt with but those with grade 5 issues, which were more serious, were not. Obviously, the longer we leave this the greater an issue it is. It needs to be dealt with.

Sentiment score: 0.10

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Could the Minister come back to me regarding the waiting list initiative? We have submitted multiple parliamentary questions on this. This was one of the solutions. There had been a huge number of vacancies. It is positive that attempts are being made to fill these positions but we need to make sure it happens as soon as possible. I saw movement on those who were seen as grade 4 patients and who needed that orthodontic dental work done, but my fear is that those who fall into the grade 5 bracket have a greater medical need and the longer they are left, the greater the issues there may be. I accept the Minister might not have the answer in front of her, but I would appreciate it if she could come back to me with the specifics of this initiative to deal with the waiting lists. We need to make sure there is no hold up and slow down in filling these vacancies related to orthodontic services because the impact this could have could be serious.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I appreciate the Minister's response. We need information on timelines and tenders so that we can see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of delivering for those patients. The Minister accepts that we are talking about those with the most serious orthodontic need. The sooner that happens, the better. Otherwise we could be talking about people who need far more acute care, which will be a cost to them and their families and to the State. We need to ensure these initiatives, which have been promised, are up and running and work as soon as possible, while ensuring that those vacancies that exist in respect of orthodontic services, particularly in the Dublin and north-east region, are dealt with. This is an issue constantly raised in my constituency office. There is even communication from time to time from those who work in the services who see the stress parents are under as well as the pain and anguish children go through in these circumstances.

Sentiment score: 0.22