Scoliosis Treatment For Ivy 2024 Update

In June 2023 the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) published an investigation into the effectiveness of the HSE multi-disciplinary planning process by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street in providing scoliosis treatment to Ivy* (17), who had been waiting for spinal fusion surgery since 2016. Our report made seven recommendations that CHI agreed to progress.

Since Ivy’s investigation was first published, grave concerns have emerged around the safety of some children with scoliosis being treated within CHI. Parallel to this, there have also been concerns have also emerged about the administration by CHI of additional funding allocated by the Minster for Health to address issues involved in scoliosis treatment.

The efforts made by CHI in progressing our recommendations have been impacted by these revelations about practices and governance issues. These developments have also resulted in the breakdown of trust in the already fraught relationship between CHI and some of the advocacy groups and the children and families they represent.

This is an update on the progress made in relation to Ivy’s Case

• October 2024
• Type: Report
• Topic: Health