THE PARENTS OF Harvey Sherratt (9) who suffered while waiting for scoliosis surgery want a “full, independent inquiry” into Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) following a whistleblower’s claims that CHI mistakenly removed their son from its active spinal surgery waiting.

CHI allegedly wrongly determined Sherratt was a “palliative” patient.

Speaking on Newstalk today, Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane suggested modelling the inquiry on the 2018 Scally inquiry into the Cervicalcheck scandal which involved a sweeping, four-month inquiry.

He added that any inquiry should be guided by advocate groups and parents impacted by CHI alleged failings.

He said that Harvey’s parents, Gillian and Stephen, will meet the Tánaiste on Wednesday to discuss a potential inquiry.

Cullinane said the couple were “re-traumatised” after learning of the claims – which they were “completely in the dark” about until the whistleblower came forward over the weekend.

‘In the dark’

The protected disclosure by an CHI insider, seen by The Journal, alleges the boy was later deemed to be “suitable for surgery once bone density is improved” by a consultant surgeon, based at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), who had examined the boy in Dublin in May 2024.

The disclosure alleges that despite senior CHI staff being made aware of this, management were misinformed that the GOSH consultant had in fact “agreed with the CHI opinion” that the boy was “not fit or ready for surgery”.

“Harvey was removed from the urgent surgical waiting list without the knowledge or even the consent of his parents,” Cullinane said.

“What Gillian wants and what Stephen wants is a full independent inquiry into CHI. Obviously they want full disclosure in relation to what happened to Harvey – but also many other children have been failed.”

He said that Harvey’s parents and other parents impacted by the CHI alleged failings need an inquiry that’s independent and will have the ability to establish facts quickly in order to improve services.

“What we want is an inquiry that’s fit for purpose, that’s robust, but also that doesn’t take years. Nobody wants an inquiry that will go on for years. I know Harvey’s parents don’t, and other parents don’t”, he added.

In a statement on the whistleblower’s claims, A Children’s Health Ireland spokesperson said: We at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) continue to extend our deepest condolences to the Morrison–Sherratt family on the loss of their son, Harvey. “

“Many of our staff cared for Harvey his whole life, and are deeply affected by his passing. We remain available to meet Harvey’s family, if and when they wish to do so.”

“CHI cannot comment publicly about Harvey’s individual case. Even if a family decides to make their story public, we are still bound by patient confidentiality for all patients.”