Simon Harris Faces Pressure Over Harvey Sherratt’s Death

Pressure is mounting on Tánaiste Simon Harris following the tragic death of Harvey Sherratt, a nine-year-old boy who passed away after waiting seven years for scoliosis surgery. The boy’s parents and advocates for disabled children are calling for Harris’s resignation, citing his failure to address significant delays in urgent medical care.

Harvey died in September 2023, suffering from a severe curvature of the spine that reached a life-threatening 130-degree angle. This condition significantly impacted his ability to breathe and put immense pressure on his heart and lungs. The scandal surrounding his death has gained traction on social media, with many expressing their outrage and disappointment in Harris’s response.

Public Outcry and Accountability

Gillian Sherratt, Harvey’s mother, publicly criticized Harris after he claimed he had intervened with the Department of Health regarding her son’s case. According to reports in the Daily Mail, Harris indicated that he preferred decisions about surgery suitability to be handled by medical professionals. However, he did not address that Harvey had been deemed suitable for surgery five years prior, only to have his operation cancelled multiple times without notification to the family.

In a poignant statement, Gillian Sherratt said, “He seems to forget that I emailed in a month after that Dáil date and laid it all on the table. Don’t pretend you didn’t know, Simon. Don’t you dare dishonour Harvey by pretending you didn’t know.”

On October 24, 2023, Gillian sent an email to Harris, noting that Harvey had been placed back on the surgical waitlist after the family opted for private treatment. She requested a meeting to discuss their concerns, particularly in light of Harris’s public commitment that no child should wait more than four months for scoliosis surgery. Currently, the waitlist stands at 287 children.

Political Fallout and Calls for Resignation

As the outcry continues, the political landscape is shifting. The party Aontú has joined a growing chorus of calls for Harris to resign due to his handling of this situation. Harris has faced criticism not only from the public but also from his political peers, who are questioning his effectiveness in addressing the urgent needs within the disability sector.

Despite his previous pledges to rectify the deficiencies in healthcare for disabled children, Harris has remained largely silent on the increasing wait times and his failure to meet with Harvey’s parents. After repeated attempts by media outlets such as Extra.ie to obtain a comment from Harris regarding his lack of engagement with the Sherratt family, no response has been provided.

As the pressure intensifies, many are left wondering how the government will respond to the ongoing crisis in healthcare for children with disabilities. The tragic case of Harvey Sherratt has highlighted significant gaps in the system and the urgent need for accountability.