CHI Spinal Surgery Head Defends Service Amid Child’s Tragic Death

UPDATE: The head of the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) spinal surgery unit, David Moore, has urgently defended the service, asserting that there is “no big delay” for surgeries. This statement comes amidst intense scrutiny following the tragic death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, a nine-year-old boy who passed away on July 29, 2024, after a long wait for scoliosis surgery.

In a heated session in the Dail today, which saw multiple TDs express their outrage, Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Fein, condemned the Government for failing to address the plight of children awaiting critical surgeries. She emphasized that Harvey’s case is not an isolated incident, as the number of children waiting for spinal procedures has surged.

Latest figures reveal that the waiting list has grown from 108 children at the start of the year to 135, with 40 children now waiting over six months. McDonald questioned the efficacy of the Government’s promise to ensure that no child waits longer than four months for surgery, a commitment made by Tanaiste Simon Harris in 2017.

In response, Taoiseach Michael Martin acknowledged the “absolute frustration” of families affected by these delays. He extended his condolences to Harvey’s parents and admitted that the CHI’s performance has not met expectations.

“I am not happy with everything that has happened in CHI,” Martin stated, referring to previous scandals within the organization, including the controversial use of non-medical grade implants.

Moore, however, defended the spinal unit, stating that the average wait time for surgery has decreased to five months. He noted that while the number of patients on the waiting list has risen, the unit has performed over 850 surgeries since January 1, 2024. He added that only 19 patients have been referred for overseas surgeries this year, emphasizing that many children cannot be sent abroad due to complex medical needs.

“Our average waiting time now is about five months. There isn’t a big delay for surgery,” Moore reiterated. He criticized the focus on waiting list numbers without considering the quality of care and patient outcomes, which he claims are strong.

The discussion in the Dail comes as the “Our Kids Can’t Wait” campaign continues to highlight the dire state of pediatric healthcare in Ireland, with over 106,000 children on hospital waiting lists. Advocates argue that the current system is failing to provide timely care, causing conditions to worsen and leading to devastating consequences for families.

Senator Tom Clonan, who has a child with a disability, has been vocal about the need for urgent reforms, citing cases of children deteriorating significantly while awaiting surgery.

With public pressure mounting, the CHI has been instructed to regularly refer children for surgery abroad to alleviate the waiting list. However, Moore cautioned that the increased demand for services is partly due to a rise in patient consultations, which has seen a 17 percent increase this year alone.

As this situation evolves, families are left anxiously awaiting the Government’s next steps in addressing this critical healthcare issue. The call for transparency and improved outcomes in pediatric surgery remains urgent as advocates push for significant changes in Ireland’s healthcare system.

The tragic loss of Harvey Morrison Sherratt serves as a painful reminder of the stakes at hand, igniting a nationwide conversation about the future of children’s health services in Ireland.