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In 2022, a number of patient safety concerns were raised in relation to children who had spinal surgery in Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Some of the concerns raised included infections and post-operative complications. As a result, Children’s Hospital Ireland commissioned two reviews into the standard of spinal surgeries conducted at Temple Street.
Background
In early August 2023, Children’s Hospital Ireland (“CHI”) issued a report outlining findings and recommendations from two formal reviews – both internal and external – which were conducted on spina bifida patients at Temple Street Children’s Hospital (“Temple Street”) .
The report highlighted many serious issues and failings in respect of the quality of spinal surgeries and patient care in Temple Street. The families of affected patients and advocacy groups said that the report was not wholly transparent, and they subsequently called for the commission of a detailed external review and government intervention.
Scope of Investigation
From 7 February 2024, the scope of the external review has been widened to include a further 17 cases of concern involving spinal surgeries in Temple Street. This brings the total number of cases under review to 36. The external report was previously expected to be released at the end of 2023 but, as a result of the additional cases, it will not be released until April 2024.
The Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly, said that the external investigator, Mr. Nayagam, has been directed to “go as wide and go as deep with this report.” Mr. Donnelly is hopeful that the report will leave “no stone unturned.”
Delayed Surgery Concerns
Since the commencement of the external review, the surgeon at the centre of the report, Connor Green, has been on leave and therefore all spinal surgeries in Temple Street have been delayed.
The impact of the delayed surgeries for children and their families has been catastrophic. One person who has been significantly impacted by the delays is Paddy Murphy, who suffers from spinal bifida and scoliosis. Speaking on Paddy’s behalf, his mother, Megan Murphy, said that he has been waiting five years for his surgery and that the curve in his spine is worsening and thus causing him significant pain.
Conclusion
The delay in issuing the external report has caused the affected children and families to become disheartened and frustrated. However, it is hoped that by widening the external review, then Mr. Nayagam’s findings will provide further detail and clarity.
Further Information
For further details, please see our prior articles examining the controversy:
External Medical Review for Spina Bifida Patients at Temple Street Hospital
Temple Street Spinal Surgeries Controversy: Recent Developments
Lavelle Partners are currently advising clients on this matter. For further advice or if you have been affected by these developments, please contact Partner Avril Scally in our award-winning Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Team.