Scoliosis Waiting Times in Ireland: Concerns Rise as Children Face Delays

Waiting times for scoliosis diagnosis and treatment in Ireland continue to be a significant concern, with recent reports highlighting delays in accessing care for children in Cork and a substantial number of surgeries cancelled nationwide. Whereas efforts are underway to address the backlog, transparency regarding specific waiting lists remains an issue, leaving families anxious and seeking clarity.

Delays in Cork: 20 Children Await Initial Appointments

Currently, twenty children in Cork suspected of having scoliosis are waiting more than four months for their first appointment with an orthopaedic specialist at the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital. This delay underscores ongoing challenges in accessing timely scoliosis care within Ireland. Early diagnosis is crucial, as a growing spine responds more effectively to intervention.

Referrals to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that patients requiring surgical intervention for scoliosis are referred to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) in Dublin. However, obtaining precise figures on the number of Cork-based children awaiting scoliosis surgery at CHI has proven difficult, with the hospital citing patient confidentiality.

Confidentiality Concerns and Data Transparency

CHI previously released data regarding waiting times, but now states it is “unable to release the information … due to patient confidentiality.” In late 2023, then-Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly revealed that 11 children from Cork were awaiting scoliosis surgery, with five waiting less than six months and six waiting over six months. CHI maintains that the 2023 release did not constitute a breach of patient confidentiality, as it provided aggregated data only.

National Surgery Cancellations

A significant number of scoliosis surgeries have been cancelled across Ireland in recent years. New figures reveal that 525 scoliosis surgeries on children were cancelled by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals over the last four years (2022-2025). The reasons for these cancellations include children becoming ill, emergency cases taking priority, and a lack of available intensive care unit beds. In 277 of those 525 cancelled cases, another spinal patient was treated in its place.

The breakdown of cancelled scoliosis surgeries by year is as follows:

• 2022: 85 cases (Crumlin Hospital only)
• 2023: 126 cases
• 2024: 150 cases
• 2025: 164 cases

In 2025, 48% of cancellations were due to clinical decisions, 19% were for personal/patient/guardian reasons, and 11% were due to the child being sick.

Treatment Options and Support

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) provides a range of resources and support for families navigating scoliosis, including guides on non-operative treatments (such as bracing and casting), spinal surgery, and treatment abroad. The CHI Scoliosis Information Hub offers guidance and resources for both AIS (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis) and Complex Care patients.

International Outsourcing Initiatives

A number of international outsourcing initiatives have been finalized for children waiting on spinal surgeries. Patients can discuss this option with their consultant.

CHI stated that its aim is to avoid cancellations when possible, prioritizing patient safety and adjusting theatre schedules to accommodate urgent cases.