A teenage girl who had to wait for five years for scoliosis surgery could not meet her friends, go to school or even breathe at times as her condition worsened, an investigation published by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has revealed.
17-year-old "Ivy" had her spinal curvature deteriorate from 30 degrees to over 135 degrees in the five years it took for her to get a spinal fusion surgery. The teen, who has cerebral palsy, eventually had her surgery in 2021 - and her pain was significantly reduced, and her quality of life improved.
OCO Director of Investigations Nuala Ward said: “Ivy’s story shows the devastating consequences that waiting for this life-changing surgery can have on a child. When Ivy and her family came to us, after previously raising their concerns a number of times with their GP, consultant and Children’s Health Ireland, it was clear that the whole family had suffered significant distress and anguish at Ivy’s deteriorating condition in the five years she had to wait for surgery."
