The parents of a 14-month old child with a physical disability contacted the Office to complain that a date for their child’s surgery had not been arranged, despite the fact that the surgery was required before the child reached 18 months or failing which the child would be permanently disfigured.

Following contact by the OCO, the hospital advised that there had been difficulties in allocation of theatre slots for this type of surgery due to an increase in the number of such referrals, in addition to an increase in the demand for theatre time. The hospital reported to the Office the steps which were taken to address these difficulties.

It stated that the child in question had been offered an appointment as it had been able to allocate an additional theatre slot specifically for the type of surgery involved.

The hospital also told the OCO that waiting list for this surgery had been reviewed and they advised that all children then on the waiting list for this surgery had received a scheduled surgery date.

The Office determined that further investigation was not required into the matter as the hospital had provided redress to the individual child and had taken steps to address the difficulties that had arisen.

Posted in: Investigations Health