CEO Statement – Delays in the provision of surgeries and appointments for people living with SB/H.

The issue of constant delays in the provision of vital surgeries for people living with SB/H has once again hit the headlines – something must be done about this. These harrowing stories will inevitably be replaced by another story in the news cycle, but the difficulties of our members and their families will live on.

Since being appointed SBHI CEO in July of this year, I have received many phone calls from parents at the end of their tether with worry. These parents do not know when their child’s surgery will take place and they are in fear of the damages to health caused by these delays.

I needed to hear a clinician’s view on what is causing these delays. I contacted Mr Connor Green, Orthopaedic Paediatric Surgeon, who outlined an appalling state of affairs to me. He invited me to an unopened, state of the art facility which he has been overseeing the development of at Cappagh Hospital. The opening of this facility has been delayed due to a lack of funding to staff the Hospital. If it was operational, it would improve the quality of services to our members by 400%, according to Mr Green.

I have written to both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Disabilities seeking an urgent meeting with Mr Green and I to progress this situation. I have not yet received confirmation of a date for the meeting, but I can assure you that we will continue to pursue a solution to this issue.