This report is on HIQA’s independent statutory review into governance and oversight of the use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), including at CHI at Temple Street.

This review was initiated as a result of significant public concerns about paediatric spinal surgery procedures undertaken at CHI at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin, where non-CE marked metal springs were implanted in three children spines.

The report describes HIQA’s findings, in line with national standards, on:

• the overall governance structures and management arrangements at CHI to ensure the safe introduction and use of new surgical implants and implantable medical devices.
• the end-to-end process for the introduction and use of the non CE-marked springs that were implanted into three children who had undergone spinal surgical operations at CHI at Temple Street.