Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
HEALTH MINISTER SIMON Harris says the new HSE action plan on scoliosis is to review whether it is feasible to re-introduce the scoliosis screening programme.
The screening programme was disbanded in 2008, which Gary Farrell, founder of support group Scoliosis Ireland, says was due to government austerity cuts.
In a bid for early intervention, public nurses came to schools throughout the country to carry out what is known as the Adam’s forward bend test.
Where a prominence in the back was detected, the child would be sent for further diagnosis tests.
Following the public’s outrage at the RTÉ investigates Living on the List programme, which documented the struggle thousands of patients face on hospital waiting lists, there have been calls for screening campaign to be re-introduced.
Calls for screenings to be returned to schools
Sinn Féin’s John Brady told the Dáil of his own personal, family experience with scoliosis.
“As is too often the case, my daughter’s problem was not identified early enough, until she was 16. At that stage, a back brace was not an option because her growth was coming to an end.
“When I was a child, the public health nurses who went into every school in the State, as they still do to carry out vaccinations, also checked for scoliosis. That no longer happens even though it is a simple procedure which takes less than two minutes,” he said.
The Wicklow TD said early identification of scoliosis would alleviate the suffering children are having to endure and, in some cases, prevent the need for surgery later on.
He asked the minister if screening would be rolled out across the State.
We do not need an action plan or to wait until the end of the month. It can be done in the morning.
Scoliosis Awareness and Support Ireland has submitted a proposed trial plan to the minister.
The group said that “early detection of scoliosis is vital” as is “early and timely intervention”.
Minister says merit in re-introduction
The minister said that the issue of school screening has been raised with him by a number of the advocacy groups.
It is one of the issues that I have asked be considered by the health service in the context of the action plan… It seems a logical suggestion, but I believe it was changed on clinical grounds.
It sounds like there is merit in it. It is being considered in the context of the action plan. I will engage with the advocacy groups on that too.
Why was it scrapped in the first place?
When asked by TheJournal.ie why the screening programme was discontinued, the Department of Health said:
In 2011,the UK National Screening Committee commissioned a full and systematic assessment of the international evidence base for scoliosis screening based on international evidence. The review concluded that screening for scoliosis was not recommended.
There have been no significant additions to the evidence base since this comprehensive assessment which drew on studies from many countries. The Irish epidemiology of scoliosis is not known to differ significantly from that in other countries and therefore this finding is also relevant for the Irish population.
Any new evidence which becomes available will be assessed, and an appropriate decision will be taken on this issue.
The department went on to say the introduction of any screening campaign would have to be very carefully considered, with the positive and negative impact of screening programmes evaluated.
The minister committed that the HSE action plan on scoliosis would be completed by the end of this month.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
No, it would not shorten the waiting list; in fact it would likely make it longer. Do we care, as a society, about our children? Does the government care? If so, money needs to be set aside to provide adequate care. This includes screening, assessment and care.
It would likely get rid of waiting lists entirely… there’s a cheaper, more effective and far less dangerous/ invasive treatment if the problem is detected early enough before symptoms start to show… a back brace.
Never seen the kid in Forrest Gump?
Oh no it wouldn’t. Screening is a pragmatic approach as early diagnosis leads to a better prognosis. Casting & bracing are not a viable care plan for all curves.
Do we not totally miss the point here? How can a parent *not* see that their grown up child suffers scoliosis? As was stated, to look at a back to see if it is deformed takes 2′. How the government has to take care of this is beyond me. Nation of moaners and complainers..
@Rathminder: I represent Scoliosis Awareness & support Ireland it would not lengthen the list if children are detected sooner the less chance they will need surgery a curve if treated early may be corrected not all children require surgery. They do now as they are coming into clinic with curves over50 degrees.
How ignorant of you! Your actually saying a “cast” will work for every child waiting? Do some research.
I remember when a Dr and nurse from the Health Department would come to our school every year to do hearing and eye checks as well as back checks… I’m going back at 35 years when this was the norm.. people cared in those days.
I’ve had enough of the place. Everyone strikes for money. We have the best paid everyone and the worst actual services.
To be fair, nurses rarely strike for money (to Liam Doran’s annoyance – he’d love a good general strike), but for everyone else – spot on.
*sigh* The truth why exams stopped.
Scoliosis exams stopped happening because it involves quite through physical examination of a young child’s lower back and pelvis… and the risks
and procedures to make parents, schools and medical professionals ‘comfortable’ with that and to guard against both real and false accusations/liability of child sex abuse proved too much to manage.
That’s it in a nutshell. Pure arse covering.
@Drew TheChinaman :): money the health service cuts in 2008/9 this is when the lists in Crumlin first hit the news
@Drew TheChinaman :):Rubbish! Money as always. It always comes down to money The HSE needs reform top to bottom too many pen pushers paid too much
It wouldn’t help waiting lists. It is quite an invasive screening and more than likely parents would be called into school to witness it like vaccinations and would opt out of it like vaccinations.
They screen for eyesight. My daughter was tested in senior infants and is now in second class. We never got told she needed glasses. A few weeks after test she complained about fuzzy eyes so I took her to my own optician. Apparently they don’t tell you they need glasses unless they have room to see them on the waiting list. She is yet to get called.
I have never been called to a school to witness vaccinations and invasive? We wore our swimsuit under our uniform and removed our shirts for the test. No I’m afraid this is a money issue nothing else .
Screening in schools were only in the south of Ireland there has been NONE in schools north of Dublin done by the screening programme.Mary Harney stopped this programme . I am one of the co founders of Scoliosis Awareness & Support Ireland. We have given The Health Minister proposals for a trial screening programme in Ireland. Screenings can be done privately in schools at a small cost of a cup of coffee. Its nothing for piece of mind.
Niamh, these days they will not administer a vaccination in school without a parent/guardian present.
Also these days if your child cannot get themselves fully ready for swimming and dry and dress themselves after, a parent/guardian must be there to assist as teachers cannot.
My 7 year old niece got an injection at school last week. Parents were told they didn’t need to be there.
@CarmelOh: Sorry Carmel but I have five children and they were all vaccinated in school in junior infants and some in first year without my presence. Also if a child can’t dress themselves at five then we are not doing our job as parents.
The buck stops with Fine Gael.
Because kids with scoliosis don’t vote and aren’t mega-wealthy individuals so therefore are of no interest to our political class? Just a wild guess. Hazard it’s more on the money than not.
The reason why they re not screened is because the pharmaceutical companies have no poison to pedal. If there was any sort of drugs to ‘help’ the screenings would be back in action! Good ould Mary harney !! Well done closed all our hospitals and made her deals with the drug companies gift us like s of guardasil !!
have your say