Update: Independent Review of Children's Hip Dysplasia Surgeries

On 6 November 2025, the HSE and the Minister for Health issued an update in relation to the independent review of Developmental Hip Dysplasia surgeries in Children’s Health Ireland ("CHI") at Temple Street and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC").

Establishment of External Expert Panel

In a letter to parents of children affected by the review, Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE confirmed that Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, has been appointed to chair an External Expert Panel (“EEP”) of international clinical experts.

Dr. Mulpuri is the Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia, Canada as well as a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at BC Children’s Hospital. He is an internationally renowned expert in both operative and non-operative management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (“DDH”).

The EEP will review decisions made about surgeries performed in CHI Temple Street and Cappagh Kids at the NOHC between January 2010 and March 2025.

Scope of the Review

The role of the EEP will be to review the original decision to perform surgery on the affected children. This will include a full review of each patient’s medical records, including all relevant radiology. To protect patient privacy, the HSE have assigned codes to each affected patient, and their identity will not be revealed to the EEP, and no in-person clinical assessment will take place.

Children who underwent procedures for DDH in otherwise typically developing hips during the review period will be automatically included. Dr. Henry has confirmed that the EEP will begin reviewing records no later than January 2026. Due to the extensive nature of the work, it is anticipated that the review will take at least 12 months to complete.

Once the EEP completes its work, the HSE has committed to providing parents with the findings relating to their child and to publishing an overall report on its website.

Multi–Disciplinary Team Review

In addition to the EEP review, a Multi–Disciplinary Team ("MDT") has commenced reviews of patients who had osteotomy surgery in CHI at Temple Street and NOHC from 2010 onwards. This is a once-off review to determine the current clinical state and assess complications only.  After this, patients enter the recommended normal follow up process.

The review clinic is structured as a one-stop MDT model for assessment, and includes consultation with a doctor, a physiotherapy assessment, an x-ray (if clinically indicated), immediate documentation of findings and further referral if required.

Support for Affected Families

The Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has confirmed that work is ongoing to implement the recommendations of Mr. Simon Thomas, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon following his independent audit of DDH surgeries. The establishment of the EEP is a key part of that implementation.

The Minister also confirmed that mental-health supports are being developed for families affected by the investigations. Parents or guardians who wish to access counselling can do so by contacting Freephone 1800 807 050 (or 00353 1 240 8706 from outside Ireland).

Finally, the Minister has committed to maintaining regular and transparent communication throughout the review process. The HSE will continue to engage with the Hip Dysplasia Advocacy Group to ensure parent and guardian perspectives remain central to its work

Further Information and Support

• Read our previous articles: Unnecessary Hip Dysplasia Surgery on Children in Dublin – Audit Findings and Report: Hundreds of Unnecessary Hip Surgeries on Young Children

• Read our extensive commentary in the Sunday Times Ireland: Thousands of Families Contacted over Children's Unnecessary Hip Surgery

• Read our recent case study where we acted in a hip dysplasia settlement case involving a delayed diagnosis.

• See our Hip Dysplasia page, which explains the condition, common signs of Hip Dysplasia, the consequences of undiagnosed Hip Dysplasia and how we can help. 

• See our Surgical Negligence and Orthopaedic Negligence pages and how you can bring a claim for Surgical Negligence.

Contact Us

For further details or if you are concerned about a procedure that your child may have undergone to treat DDH in CHI Temple Street or Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, please contact Avril Scally, Partner or Grace Molloy, Solicitor in our award-winning Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Team, to discuss your concerns in complete confidence.