Save adult scoliosis provision in Scotland
The provision of scoliosis services in Scotland was reviewed in 2009/10.
One of the recommendations of this review is to withdraw the service that
treats adults with scoliosis. The Scottish government established the
adult service in 2009 and it is envisaged that the service would cease in
2012. If this happens adults with scoliosis will be treated by general
orthopaedic surgeons.
Scoliosis surgery is a very specialist area and if a child is diagnosed
with the condition it is recommended they see a scoliosis specialist at
the national spinal deformity unit. Surely if an adult has scoliosis they
should also see a scoliosis specialist and not a general orthopaedic
surgeon? This is certainly a message that is echoed through support
organisations including the Scoliosis Association (UK). We the undersigned
call on the Scottish government to ensure that adult provision for
scoliosis remains the responsibility of the national spinal deformity
service and not general orthopaedic surgeons.
Comment