Chair of Children’s Health Ireland steps down after report finds kids given experimental surgical implants were put at risk from ‘corrosive’ steel

Three children who were given experimental surgical implants in Temple St Hospital were put at risk from “corrosive” steel which should never be used in operations, the inquiry report revealed today.

The implants were used without ethical approval or the consent of parents, the report said.

The spinal surgeries to treat scoliosis, carried out between 2020 and 2022, involved non-alloyed spring steel which cannot be used in surgeries. The implants were not CE-marked.

In a statement, Dr Jim Browne said: “Following discussions over recent weeks with the Department for Health, I now wish to step down and provide for an orderly transition to a new chair to allow for renewed enthusiasm and passion to guide this great organisation.

“I wish to convey my sincere apologies to the children, young people and families that have been failed by the care they received, following the release of the HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) report today.

“The HIQA review found that the use…