Inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care hoped to bring ‘justice for Harvey’

A commitment for an inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida is hoped to “bring some justice” for a boy who died earlier this year.

Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt welcomed the promise of the probe following a meeting with Tanaiste Simon Harris on Monday.

It comes after HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster apologised to them following the death of their son Harvey Morrison Sherratt for their experience of being “let down by the healthcare system”.

They said their nine-year-old son, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, waited years for spinal surgery, during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees.

By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected.

The curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing.

Harvey died on July 29.

His parents met with Mr Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on Monday evening.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Sherratt said she hopes the inquiry will bring about change.

“Simon Harris and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill have committed to an inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis care at Children’s Health Ireland,” she told media outside government buildings.

“The terms of reference of this inquiry are to be drawn up in collaboration with parental advocacy groups, the Scoliosis Advocacy Network and the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group, and the Minister for Health and Tanaiste.

“We will be having a follow-up meeting which should occur in three weeks’ time, and we hope that this inquiry will be the start of bringing about real substantial change and bring some justice for Harvey.”

Sinn Fein TD and his party’s spokesman on health David Cullinane said any inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida services at CHI must put children first.

He said: “I salute the bravery and courage of Harvey’s parents Gillian and Stephen Sherratt. They have shown tremendous dignity in the face of such tragedy, grief and loss.

“It is clear that Harvey was failed and his parents want answers. It’s equally clear that no child should have to go through what Harvey endured and that no parent should have to go through what Harvey’s parents experienced.

“A public inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida services at CHI needs to be comprehensive and wide-ranging. It must identify all the facts and shine a light on all the failings which delayed care for so many children.

“It is also important to note that children are still being failed today. Far too many are waiting longer than four months and all the political promises from Simon Harris and government as a whole have been broken time and again.

“A public inquiry has to be about getting answers for parents and real accountability. We must also fix the broken system and invest in specialist orthopaedic services for children once and for all. Parents want an end to excuses. They want delivery and they want children to get timely access to care.”