Data released to the Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD following a Parliamentary Question reveals a staggering volume of clinical and non-clinical failures within CHI over a five-year period.
Deputy Tóibín has described new figures revealing over 31,000 incidents at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) as “shocking,” calling for the Minister for Health to break the “shroud of secrecy” surrounding paediatric care.
The Deputy said “A total of 23,283 incidents were recorded, ranging from near misses to physical injuries. Most concerning is the severity of the harm reported. 126 Category 1 Incidents Classified as “Major” or “Extreme. These involve cases resulting in long-term disability, permanent incapacity, or even death. 752 Moderate Incidents: Resulting in injuries that required professional medical treatment and 6,900 Dangerous Occurrences Linked to systemic failures, ICT breakdowns, and inadequate environmental factors.”
“These figures are harrowing. We are talking about 126 individuals who have been victims of major or extreme incidents. These are not just statistics; these are children and families who have suffered long-term disability or life-altering incapacity. In some cases, we are looking at possible deaths.”
The Deputy continued “ When you add the system failures and dangerous occurrences, we are looking at over 31,000 instances where things went wrong. Given what we already know about the damage done to patients within CHI, the Minister for Health must come clean and explain exactly what is happening here.”
Deputy Tóibín also highlighted the lack of progress regarding the Nayagam Review into paediatric spinal surgery at Temple Street. Commissioned in September 2023, the review remains in “Phase One” with no confirmed completion date.
“There is an eternal delay hanging over these investigations, The Nayagam review is now being grouped with ongoing probes into hip surgeries, yet families are still in the dark. How long must they wait for a basic shred of information?”
The Aontú leader further criticized CHI for failing to provide transparency on critical waiting list issues. Deputy Tóibín has sought clarity on the number of children who “timed out” and became too old for scoliosis operations while on waiting lists. The number of children who have died while awaiting surgery. The number of children removed from waiting lists without parental knowledge, similar to the case of Harvey Sheridan.
“CHI has refused to answer these questions. We are seeing a culture of evasion while children suffer. We need accountability, not more delayed reports and ignored questions.” the Deputy concluded.
