News

Today, Friday 23rd May 2025, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC) have published the findings of the Independent External Medical Audit into the clinical thresholds for performing pelvic osteotomy surgeries in children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). In July 2024, CHI and NOHC confirmed they would undertake a joint clinical audit to examine a random and anonymised sample of DDH surgeries performed between 2021 and 2023. The audit was prompted following a protected disclosure*, which raised concerns that CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple Street and NOHC may have used differing criteria to determine whether DDH surgery was required. The clinical audit was conducted by a UK paediatric consultant orthopaedic with specialist expertise in this area, and is now complete.

The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh cares for patients of all ages undergoing complex limb reconstruction surgeries. The programme is challenging, consisting of surgery followed by months of lengthening with fixator frames, intramedullary lengthening nails, and comprehensive physiotherapy programmes.

NOHC commenced its transition to sustainability in 2021, and the Hospital developed its initial strategy for 2022-2025. To date, we have made significant strides in reducing our carbon footprint. A considerable budget and effort have been devoted to infrastructure upgrades, operational efficiencies, and educational programmes encouraging green thinking and environmentally responsible behaviours.

The National Inpatient Experience Survey gets underway on May 1st 2024. All patients aged 16 years and over, discharged during the month of May, who spend 24 hours or more in a public acute hospital and have a postal address in the Republic of Ireland will be asked to complete the survey.