BREAKINGHarvey Sherratt: Statutory inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care at CHI

Nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt died after a long battle with scoliosis and other health issues. Picture: Morrison/Sherratt family

The Government is set to launch a statutory inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care at Children's Health Ireland.

The announcement that health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Tánaiste Simon Harris would be recommending the inquiry came after they met on Wednesday evening with Gillian and Stephen Morrison Sherratt, the parents of Harvey, who died in July after facing long delays for surgery.

The couple and advocate groups had been consistently calling for an inquiry. 

In a joint statement with the Scoliosis Advocacy Network and the Spina bifida and hydrocephalus paediatric advocacy group (SBHPAG), Gillian said she is now “hopeful” for change.

Gillian and Stephen Sherratt arriving at Government Buildings today, Wednesday, ahead of their meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

“We are hopeful that the results of this inquiry will mean there will be true and substantial change going forward, so that no children will ever be failed in the same manner Harvey was,” she said.

Una Keightley, co-lead of SBHPAG, said: "We have waited for a decade for this.” 

She said they are determined terms of reference will be robust enough to get answers.

Claire Cahill from the Scoliosis Advocacy Network agreed, saying the statutory inquiry is “a necessity” now.

A spokeswoman for Jennifer Carroll MacNeill described the meeting as “collaborative and constructive”.

“A considerable body of work will be required and a facilitator will be appointed to scope the content of potential terms of reference,” she said, adding this will be done with the families.

The minister and Tánaiste Simon Harris, who also attended, “are grateful” to Harvey’s family for their engagement on this, she said.

Ms Morrison Sherratt told reporters she also raised new concerns linked to a whistleblower’s protected disclosure around why her son was removed from surgical waiting lists.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin in August for a Justice for Harvey march in memory of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt who died following delays for child spinal surgery, and for better rights and access to timely healthcare for children with disabilities. Picture: Gareth Chaney/PA 

This was not discussed in detail for legal reasons, but Ms Carroll MacNeill is “looking into it”, she said. Ms Morrison Sherratt said: 

My main concern is there are other children that have been handled in the same manner.

Earlier on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he, Mr Harris and Ms Carroll MacNeill were not aware of the protected disclosure.

Mr Martin said the allegations are “very serious and do warrant investigation”, adding this is underway.

“I want to accept fully and understand fully the serious distress to the family, who have been wanting to know for some time why Harvey was removed from the waiting list without any notice or discussion,” Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said Harvey’s parents had only received spin, lies, and deception when they questioned his removal.