No clear end in sight for review into spinal surgery at CHI Temple St

This included implanting non-medical devices, referred to as springs, in three children.

The terms of reference also state the review will examine the “paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI Temple St, CHI Crumlin, the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, and other relevant sites in Dublin”.

Terms of reference

Speaking at the time it was announced, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said: “The scale of the terms of reference [the consultant] has could certainly go well out over the next 12 months". 

It is now 18 months since Selvadurai Nayagam was appointed to head the review.

A HSE spokeswoman said: “Mr Nayagam’s review is entirely independent and the HSE has no role in the conduct of the review.

We are not aware of a completion date at this time and the review is progressing

Families connected to the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group are keen to have this review completed. 

Many of their children were under the care of Connor Green, the surgeon being investigated.

Co-founder Una Keightley said: “You wonder how long it is going to take, because they are still writing to parents.” 

She recalled that around October 2023 families were first written to by the hospital and told their child’s case would be included in the review.

“We thought ‘that’s fine, that’s right’, but then more letters are coming now,” she said, adding: “Some parents met Mr Nayagam to discuss their case.” 

Ms Keightley and other advocates met with Mr Gloster and former health minister Stephen Donnelly about this review last year.

“But I don’t know, we could still be having this same conversation next year,” Ms Keightley said in frustration.

Hiqa review

Meanwhile, Hiqa is continuing to work on a separate review at CHI hospitals.

This is looking at “governance and oversight of the use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices” across the hospitals. This is also linked to the use of three non-medical devices during spinal surgery.

Terms of reference for this were published in November 2023.

A spokeswoman said on Friday: “Hiqa’s review is progressing in line with the published terms of reference, and we expect to conclude the review and publish the report shortly.” It was unclear at the time who in the hospital management structure knew this consultant intended using non-medical devices in children’s care.

Hiqa’s Sean Egan said at the start of the review: “It is essential that children and their families, as well as the wider public, can be assured that surgical services are safe, and that appropriate governance structures are in place.”