Tragic Scoliosis Case Sparks Urgent Inquiry into Children's Healthcare

In a concerning development, the Irish government has announced plans to launch a public inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic death of 9-year-old Harvey Sherratt, who passed away in July after enduring a prolonged wait for critical spinal surgery.

Harvey's parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, have revealed that during the time he waited for the operation, the curve in his spine had worsened dramatically, increasing from 75 degrees to a staggering 130 degrees. By the time he was finally able to undergo the procedure last December, the damage had become so severe that the curve could not be fully corrected, causing his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing.

The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, has acknowledged the urgent need for a statutory, public inquiry into this matter, stating that the government will work closely with families to ensure the terms of reference are properly established. A memo outlining the plans for the inquiry is expected to be brought to the Cabinet this week.

This tragic case has reignited longstanding concerns about the challenges faced by children requiring scoliosis treatment in Ireland. In 2017, Harris had pledged that no child would have to wait more than four months for such care, but it appears that this commitment was not fully realized. The government now faces the daunting task of addressing the systemic issues that have led to these unacceptable delays and, ultimately, the preventable loss of a young life.