Latest news with #NationalOrthopaedicHospitalCappagh
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Louth families affected by children's hip operation scandal have ‘been through hell'
The Sinn Féin TD raised the children's cases during a debate in the Dáil about the Independent External Medical Audit for Children's Health Ireland and National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh. Deputy Ó Murchú said the families and their children 'had been through hell'. The first case he highlighted was one where two of the mother's three children had hip operations, while the third is awaiting surgery. The children are aged five years, three years and 18 months and the mum has secured a review by a consultant in the North, costing more than €700. She wants it done, because she wants to know whether the youngest child actually needs the operation and whether her other children's surgery was necessary, but she cannot afford it. Deputy Ó Murchú said the boss of the HSE, Bernard Gloster had indicated that those who want a third party second opinion could get one and it would be paid for by the HSE, but no mechanism has yet been put in place for that to happen, despite the fact that his constituent has an appointment for June 10. He said another mother living in mid-Louth spoke to him about her child who was three years old when she had surgery in 2023. Deputy Ó Murchú said: 'She now looks at the scars on her daughter and cries because she is worried that they are the marks of needless suffering. 'Hers was one of the families that received a letter earlier in the year telling her that her daughter was one of the children reviewed in the audit. She is now struggling to come to terms with what has happened and what is going to happen. 'She has asked for a mechanism for getting her daughter's medical records. We need to provide this information. She does not know what percentage her daughter falls into. We need that information and follow-up'. The case of a third family, whose child was scheduled for surgery and who sought a second opinion before the operation which showed she did not need it, is now doing gymnastics. He said: 'We need such cases to be included in a review-type process also'. Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill said in response to Deputy Ó Murchú about the HSE paying for third party second opinions, that she would work with the HSE on the matter.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Louth families affected by hip operation scandal have 'been through hell'
The Sinn Féin TD raised the children's cases during a debate in the Dáil about the Independent External Medical Audit for Children's Health Ireland and National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh. Deputy Ó Murchú said the families and their children 'had been through hell'. The first case he highlighted was one where two of the mother's three children had hip operations, while the third is awaiting surgery. The children are aged five years, three years and 18 months and the mum has secured a review by a consultant in the North, costing more than €700. She wants it done, because she wants to know whether the youngest child actually needs the operation and whether her other children's surgery was necessary, but she cannot afford it. Deputy Ó Murchú said the boss of the HSE, Bernard Gloster had indicated that those who want a third party second opinion could get one and it would be paid for by the HSE, but no mechanism has yet been put in place for that to happen, despite the fact that his constituent has an appointment for June 10. He said another mother living in mid-Louth spoke to him about her child who was three years old when she had surgery in 2023. Deputy Ó Murchú said: 'She now looks at the scars on her daughter and cries because she is worried that they are the marks of needless suffering. 'Hers was one of the families that received a letter earlier in the year telling her that her daughter was one of the children reviewed in the audit. She is now struggling to come to terms with what has happened and what is going to happen. 'She has asked for a mechanism for getting her daughter's medical records. We need to provide this information. She does not know what percentage her daughter falls into. We need that information and follow-up'. The case of a third family, whose child was scheduled for surgery and who sought a second opinion before the operation which showed she did not need it, is now doing gymnastics. He said: 'We need such cases to be included in a review-type process also'. Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill said in response to Deputy Ó Murchú about the HSE paying for third party second opinions, that she would work with the HSE on the matter.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sports stars come together to raise significant sum for a good cause
Ireland soccer legend Niall Quinn, nine-time All Ireland winner with Kilkenny Tommy Walsh, Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane and former rugby international Shane Byrne were all in attendance for a vibrant charity lunch in aid of Cappagh Hospital Foundation, supporting the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh. Following an intriguing panel discussion there was an auction and raffle with top tier prizes, including a signed Masters flag from Rory McIlroy, VIP tickets to Oasis, All-Ireland final tickets, a luxury trip to Cannes, and flights for two to Chicago to see Ireland take on the All Blacks in October. Raffle prizes, generously donated by supporters, added to the excitement and success of the afternoon. A show-stopping performance came from Brian Keville, frontman of Queen tribute band Qween and 18 months post-surgery for sarcoma. His powerful vocals and stage presence wowed the audience and served as a moving testament to the Foundation's impact. Niamh Long, Board Director and Chair of the Fundraising Committee, spoke passionately about Brian's diagnosis and the critical role of the recently installed CT scanner— funded by the Foundation— in enabling early detection. Visit to learn how you can support future projects in medical research, hospital development, and ongoing education and training for the specialist teams at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh.
BreakingNews.ie
23-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Almost 500 children who had hip surgery in Dublin hospitals ‘should be recalled'
Almost 500 children who underwent hip surgery in two hospitals in Dublin should be recalled, a report has said, after a clinical audit found a lower threshold for operations was used, leading to 'unnecessary' procedures. A final report of the audit was published by Children's Health Ireland (CHI) and National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC) on Friday. Advertisement The clinical audit of dysplasia of the hips surgery in children found that a lower threshold was used at Temple Street and Cappagh hospitals. An audit of paediatric hip dysplasia surgeries at CHI hospitals found that hundreds of children operated on between 2021 and 2023 did not meet the threshold for the procedure. It has been discovered that almost 80 per cent of those operated on at NOHC, and 60 per cent of those at Temple Street, did not meet the threshold for surgery in that timeframe. In its report, it stated that the first step should be to recall all 497 cases that underwent pelvic osteotomy at the hospitals between 2021 to 2023. Advertisement They should undergo a standardised independent clinical review and radiological assessment, the report added. 'X-rays should then be reviewed, with the history obtained, by appropriately experienced paediatric orthopaedic surgeons from a different institution to NOHC or TSH,' it said. 'Follow-up with a suitably experienced and independent paediatric orthopaedic surgeon may be required in some cases.' According to the audit, 85 surgeries performed at Temple Street were examined, of which 51 did not meet the clinical criteria for surgery. Advertisement In Cappagh, 70 pelvic surgeries were examined, and 55 did not meet the criteria, meaning almost 80% of procedures were not necessary. The audit examined 147 cases at both hospitals as well as Crumlin hospital, and involved 14 surgeons. The report found that the threshold for procedures varied between Crumlin, Temple Street and Cappagh hospitals. The group of affected patients will be contacted directly to explain what this means and the next steps for them, it said. Advertisement The CEO of Children's Health Ireland, Lucy Nugent, said: 'The care and wellbeing of children is our absolute priority in Children's Health Ireland, and I am sorry that impacted families were not offered one consistent and excellent standard of care across our DDH (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) service. 'I do not underestimate the stress and anxiety that families are rightfully feeling throughout this audit process. 'To one family in particular, whose child experienced complications during their care in Children's Health Ireland, I extend my heartfelt apology that we have let you down. 'I would like to give my assurance to all of the families affected, that they will be directly supported and are being contacted with follow-up information and the next steps. Advertisement 'We are currently standardising care across all CHI sites, so all children receive the same high-quality treatment no matter where they are seen. 'Also, it is important that we now act swiftly to review DDH surgery patients to enable us to answer outstanding questions raised by this audit. This will be done openly and transparently.' The CEO of NOHC, Angela Lee, said: 'The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh apologises for the distress that today's published report may understandably cause to children who have had surgery in NOHC and to their parents. 'In recent years, Cappagh has worked with Children's Health Ireland to improve children's access to planned paediatric orthopaedic surgery. 'We are committed to implementing the audit recommendations. Some changes are already under way, with others planned and we will be communicating with all parents/guardians accordingly in the coming days.' Ireland Over €8.7m compensation paid to victims of crime i... Read More Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill said in a statement: 'I know that parents and young people themselves will have many questions when they read the report and that the findings of this report will lead to worry and uncertainty for them. 'In responding to this report, I am thinking first and foremost of the impact a surgery has on a child. I am also deeply aware of the worry that parents will face today and this is something that is sitting with me all the time. 'My immediate priority is to ensure that there is clinical follow-up and care for patients who have undergone pelvic osteotomy surgery. This follow-up will be in accordance with best practice and the recommendations of the report.'
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Hip surgery audit: Almost 70% of operations in two children's hospitals ‘unnecessary'
Almost 500 children who underwent hip operations in two hospitals should be recalled, as close to 70 per cent of surgeries were not necessary, an independent audit has found. Furthermore, one child who received surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), despite not meeting the criteria for the procedure, experienced an 'adverse outcome' from the operation. In July 2024, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC) announced a joint clinical audit to examine a random and anonymised sample of 147 DDH surgeries performed between 2021 and 2023. The audit was prompted following a protected disclosure, which raised concerns that CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple Street and NOHC may have used differing criteria to determine whether DDH surgery was required. READ MORE According to the findings of the audit, published on Friday, 85 surgeries performed at Temple Street Hospital (TSH) were examined, of which 51 did not meet the clinical criteria for surgery - meaning 60 per cent were unnecessary. In NOHC, 70 surgeries were audited, and 55 did not meet the criteria - meaning 79 per cent were unnecessary. Only one of the 63 surgeries examined at Crumlin hospital did not meet the clinical criteria. The clinical audit was conducted by Simon Thomas, a UK paediatric consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Children who were included in the audit were over the age of one but less than seven. It examined 147 cases at the three hospitals, involving 14 surgeons. In his report, the auditor notes that it 'is accepted that there is variation on the thresholds' at which different surgeons will recommend the surgery, called pelvic osteotomy. However, he adds the variance identified between Crumlin hospital and the other two 'cannot be accounted for by measurement error or observer variability alone'. The percentages of these procedures not reaching the criteria at Temple Street and NOHC being 'so high mandates further inquiry', the report said. Mr Thomas said surgeons in Temple Street and Cappagh would 'benefit' from peer review across all three sites in relation to decision-making to agree and confirm reasonable clinical and radiological indications. 'This should be a routine part of surgical planning going forward,' he said. The HSE said this has been implemented. The report also recommended that all 497 patients who underwent this surgery at Temple Street and NOHC between 2021 and 2023 should be recalled. 'They should undergo a standardised independent clinical review and radiological assessment. X-rays should then be reviewed, with the history obtained, by appropriately experienced paediatric orthopaedic surgeons from a different institution to NOHC or TSH,' the report said. 'Follow-up with a suitably experienced and independent paediatric orthopaedic surgeon may be required in some cases.' Furthermore, the HSE confirmed a plan has been developed to ensure some 1,800 children and young people who have had the surgery in the two facilities since 2010 will be reviewed up to skeletal maturity. Bernard Gloster, chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE) said there is 'little doubt' the findings of the audit 'raise significant concern'. 'Focus on follow up and putting in place a mechanism to ensure this kind of variation can't recur is central to our next steps, and we will be working with everyone to ensure that this can't happen again,' he said. Lucy Nugent, chief executive of CHI, said the health group 'fully accepts the findings and recommendations from this audit'. 'I am sorry that impacted families were not offered one consistent and excellent standard of care across our DDH service,' she said. 'To one family in particular, whose child experienced complications during their care in Children's Health Ireland, I extend my heartfelt apology that we have let you down.' Ms Nugent said they are 'standardising care' across all CHI sites so all children receive the same high-quality treatment. 'Also, it is important that we now act swiftly to review DDH surgery patients to enable us to answer outstanding questions raised by this audit. This will be done openly and transparently,' she added. Angela Lee, chief executive of NOHC, apologised for the 'distress' the report may cause to children and parents. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said she 'immediately accepted the recommendations of the report and ensured that others did too'. 'Further to this, I have moved immediately to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI and NOHC,' she said. 'This will be done via the appointment of two members of the Health Service Executive Board to the Board of CHI.' CHI and Cappagh Hospital have established a dedicated helpline for patients and families: 1800 807 050, or 00 353 1 240 8706 from outside Ireland. The phone line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.
