Inquiry Launched into Spinal Care Following Death of Harvey Sherratt

An inquiry into spinal care practices at Children’s Health Ireland will commence following the tragic death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, a nine-year-old boy who passed away in July 2023 after enduring years of severe health challenges. Harvey’s parents, Gillian and Stephen Sherratt, have been vocal advocates for better treatment protocols after their son waited seven years for a critical surgery. The family was unaware that he had been removed from the surgical waiting list and ultimately underwent the procedure when it was too late.

The Sherratts met with Tánaiste Simon Harris and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to discuss systemic failures that led to their son’s untimely death. They have been calling for Harris’s resignation since he made a commitment in 2017, when he served as Health Minister, to ensure that no child in Ireland would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment.

Gillian Sherratt expressed her hope for real change during a press conference after their meeting. She stated, “Simon Harris and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill have committed to an inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis care at Children’s Health Ireland.” The inquiry will be structured in collaboration with parental advocacy groups, including the Scoliosis Advocacy Network and the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy group.

The parents are optimistic about a follow-up meeting scheduled in three weeks, aiming to establish a framework for change in the healthcare system. “We hope this inquiry will be the start of bringing about real and substantial change and bringing some justice for Harvey,” Gillian added.

Prior to the meeting, Stephen Sherratt criticized the care Harvey received, stating, “We will outline all the extremely scandalous care Harvey received, that the Irish public doesn’t even know about.” He emphasized that an independent statutory inquiry is essential for addressing the systemic issues they encountered.

The Sherratts have previously described their son’s death as “unjust.” In a poignant appearance on RTÉ‘s The Late Late Show, Gillian noted that if the Tánaiste had listened to their concerns sooner, “things would have been different.” She highlighted that Harris had promised to meet with them last year but failed to do so, despite their persistent outreach.

The Department of Health has been approached for comment regarding the inquiry and its implications on future healthcare policies in Ireland. As the inquiry unfolds, the Sherratts hope it will lead to a reassessment of spinal care practices, ensuring that no other family has to face similar heartache.