A group of Dublin parents are "cautiously optimistic" as the government has agreed to give an extra €19 million toward much needed spinal surgeries for children across the country.
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect which has been described as “one of the most complex congenital conditions compatible with life”.
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid on the brain and the excess fluid puts pressure on the organ, which can damage it.
As previously reported by Dublin Live, parents of children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus have slammed the long waiting lists for orthopedic surgery.
On Monday, the Spina Bifida Paediatric Advocacy Group met with Health Minister Stephen Donelly, who said he is making an extra €19m in funding available for children who are in need of orthopaedic surgery.
The Spina Bifida Paediatric Advocacy Group has cautiously welcomed the funding, although they are calling for clarity over urology services.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Amanda Coughlan-Santry, the spokeswoman for the group, said that the group are cautiously optimistic about the funding.
She told Dublin Live: "We met with Minister Donnelly on Monday and he's going to give €19 million for spina bifida and scoliosis surgeries for a four month target clinical indicated- that means that it's for the kids the doctors feel are fit enough for the surgeries.
"There's also going to be extra 24 beds, 12 at Temple Street and 12 at Crumlin Hospital, and Cappagh has been funded as well. We're cautiously optimistic although they need to clarify about the urology services and what will happen with funding there."
Meanwhile, Tallaght mum Suzanne Cahill said that she is "extremely proud" of the work done by the group to raise awareness.
Her daughter Ava, 11, is waiting for surgery since June 2020.
Suzanne told Dublin Live: "I'm hopeful that the funding will help, I'm extremely proud of the #paistiinpain campaign on highlighting what's happening with our children but CHI have not contacted me regarding Ava.
"I'm honoured to be part of such an amazing group of parents who are making big changes for our children and other children coming down the line."
A spokeswoman for CHI Temple Street said: "CHI is absolutely committed to providing timely and increased access to our services which is the single greatest operational challenge we have. We have too many children and adolescents waiting too long to access care in several specialities in CHI.
“In 2020 and 2021 our elective activity was impacted by COVID-19 and the criminal cyberattack. We sincerely apologise to those families and children waiting for care.”
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