A health watchdog report has found that children were not protected from the risk of harm in the use of unauthorised springs in spinal surgeries.
A report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into the implantation of unlicensed springs in children undergoing spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital has been released this afternoon.
The investigation found that the use of surgical springs in spinal surgery procedures in children should not have happened.
The report states that there was a lack of information provided to families on the new or experimental nature of the intended surgery.
Temple Street Hospital in Dublin, © PA Wire/PA ImagesThe use of the springs in these surgeries was an attempt to replicate an experimental surgical technique that was still under investigation at a hospital in another country.
HIQA could not find any evidence to demonstrate any written approval from any senior manager in Children's Health Ireland (CHI) on the clinical use of the springs.
According to HIQA, the orthopaedic service in CHI at Temple Street had been affected by long-standing issues with communications and team dynamics since 2019.
This is believed to be a significant factor in the introduction of the springs, as it impacted on important and relevant questions not being raised at various steps, in the absense of a formal process also not being followed.
As a result, HIQA said children were not protected from the risk of harm.
Chairman of the Board of Children's Health Ireland, Dr Jim Browne has since announced he is stepping down from his role.
"I wish to convey my sincere apologies to the children, young people and families that have been failed by the care they received, following the release of the HIQA report today," he said.
Dr Browne served as Chair of the Children’s Hospital Group Board since 2013, and more recently as Chair of the CHI Board since its establishment in 2019.
Main image: HSE Temple Street spinal surgery review, © PA Wire/PA Images
