Mother of teen with scoliosis and spina bifida brands Taoiseach 'dismissive' after case is raised in Dáil

TJ Coughlan was on a waiting list for so long, his condition became inoperable in 2017 - when Taoiseach Simon Harris was health minister

The mother of a scoliosis and spina bifida patient who is now inoperable has accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of being “dismissive” of the waiting list scandal in the Dáil.

Amanda Coughlan told the Irish Mirror that her son TJ, 19, became inoperable in 2017 when Mr Harris was health minister.

His condition is now so severe that doctors were unable to see his chest on X-rays to examine an infection when he was in hospital last week.

Ms Coughlan, who lives in Tullamore, Co Offaly with her seven children, explained that TJ was on a waiting list for four years and was then told by consultants that it was too dangerous to operate on him. He was 12 years old.

Ms Coughlan explained: “TJ has spina bifida and hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid around the brain).

“He was born in 2004 with spina bifida. TJ was born with scoliosis but that was never flagged or raised as an issue or it was never properly correctly monitored.

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“We had assumed because [he had been under medical care] since he was a newborn that he was being monitored for these things.

“It wasn’t until he got to about eight [that] it was flagged by urology that we needed to have his spine assessed.

“We went on the waitlist for a spinal surgeon in CHI Crumlin.”

TJ waited for four years and when he was finally seen, he was told he was inoperable.

“I followed all the guidelines, everything we were meant to do,” his mum continued.

“Every time we went in, I asked if there was any update.

“I was told, ‘He’s on a list to see a spinal consultant.’ He was an inpatient five times in Crumlin.

“The day we went into the clinic to find out what the situation was, TJ’s spine was fused in the wrong position.

“In order to correct TJ’s spine they’d have to cut a large V in the base of the spine and insert a rod.

“The risk of bleeding out was too severe. He couldn’t guarantee he would get them off the table alive.”

After initially not being able to access a second opinion, a consultant in Temple Street contacted Ms Coughlan after reading TJ’s story in a newspaper and took him on.

After further tests, Ms Coughlan and TJ were told once again that the lumbar curve at the bottom of his spine had fused in the wrong position and couldn’t be corrected.

TJ is now 19 and, as he has continued to grow, his spine has deteriorated further. This has led to other complications.

Ms Coughlan explained to the Irish Mirror that he was in hospital last week for an infection. When doctors X-rayed him, due to the fact his “spin is so contorted”, they were unable to see what was happening in his lungs and chest.

TJ’s case was raised in the Dáil by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald during Leaders’ Questions with the Taoiseach on Tuesday.

Ms McDonald reminded Mr Harris that when he was health minister in 2017, he vowed that no child would wait longer than four months for surgery.

During a heated discussion, Ms McDonald said that “words and rhetoric” were of no value to the families affected.

Mr Harris responded: “It is a little dismissive to suggest words and rhetoric when 120 procedures this year is not rhetoric and massive levels of investment in theatres and hiring more nurses and doctors are not words; they are real actions.

“I know it suits the deputy to suggest these are just words and rhetoric but they are real things we are doing to make a real difference.”

However, Amanda Coughlan believes it was the Taoiseach who was being dismissive.

She said: “I thought he was a little dismissive. Is it words and rhetoric that my son had to have a CT scan because he can’t see what’s going on in his chest because his spine is so twisted?

“You were minister for health when my child became inoperable.”

She added: “We are the primary carers for our son with complex medical needs. We have six other children.

“We both work full time, pay our taxes. Our son receives no support from the state.

“He cannot access physical therapy. We cannot get occupation therapy.

“He is getting very limited support from the state.”

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