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An investigation into potentially unnecessary hip surgeries performed on children at two Dublin hospitals suggests that these procedures may date back as far as 2010.
Ongoing Audit
The inquiry stems from an ongoing audit of surgeries conducted between 2021 and 2023, involving 561 children treated at Cappagh Hospital and Temple Street Hospital. The audit is examining claims that some of these children underwent hip operations that were not medically necessary, and in some cases, for conditions they may never have had.
Read our previous article - Report: Hundreds of Unnecessary Hip Surgeries on Young Children
Scope of Those Affected
However, emerging information indicates the scope of the issue may be far greater than initially believed. Families are now reportedly receiving letters about procedures carried out on their children as far back as 15 years ago.
Health Minister Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed that Children’s Health Ireland (“CHI”) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh have recently issued letters to patients and families of those who underwent hip dysplasia surgeries since 2010. It has been reported that more than 2,200 letters have been sent out. Hip dysplasia operations are carried out when the ball and socket joint of a child's hip do not fit together correctly.
It is now feared that thousands of individuals may have been affected, including many who are now adults. The Minister said families are being contacted about operations their loved ones underwent. She said the Government will consider any recommendations for clinical follow-up once the final report is published. She added that once received, the audit will be published as soon as she has “digested it”.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, affected families and advocacy groups are calling for transparency, accountability and appropriate support for those impacted. The final report is expected to shed more light on how these surgeries were approved and what safeguards may have failed.
In the meantime, the focus remains on ensuring that those affected receive the care, information and follow-up they need.
See our Surgical Negligence and Orthopaedic Negligence Frequently Asked Questions and how you can bring a claim for Surgical Negligence.
Further Information
For further details or if you have any concerns about hip surgery that your child has undergone in Ireland, please contact Avril Scally, Partner and Head of our award-winning Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Team.
For further guidance, see our Medical Negligence Frequently Asked Questions.