The number of children and young people waiting for spinal surgery reduced to 199 patients last month, according to new figures from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).<\/p>\n
At the same time last year, the spinal surgery waiting list was 231 patients.<\/p>\n
Since January 2026, there have been 229 procedures added to the surgical waiting list, while 279 spinal surgeries have been carried out in the same timeframe.<\/p>\n
Seven patients are waiting between 12-15 months for their procedure, two are waiting between 18-24 months and one is waiting between 24-36 months.<\/p>\n
CHI also said that at the end of July, 431 patients were on the outpatient department waiting list, a reduction of over 22.6%, compared with 557 patients at the same point last year.<\/p>\n
CHI Chief Executive Lucy Nugent said the figures show continued progress being made in reducing waiting times and ensuring children receive the care they need.<\/p>\n
She said CHI will continue to make every effort to achieve the target of 540 procedures by the end of this year, but its overall aim is to reduce waiting times for patients.<\/p>\n
Dave Moore, head of the Spinal Surgery Management Unit at CHI, said that all patients are prioritised for spinal surgery based on their diagnosis, size of spinal deformity, the presence of other conditions, and other factors.<\/p>\n
He added that since the beginning of the year, more spinal surgeries have been carried out, than new procedures added to the waiting list.<\/p>\n