LAST UPDATE | 29 Sep 2025

THE GOVERNMENT HAS committed to an inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care following today’s meeting between the parents of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. 

Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt welcomed the promise, saying they hope it will “bring some justice” for their 9-year-old son who died two months ago after waiting years for spinal surgery.

Gillian and Stephen have long called for a meeting with Harris, who pledged, while Minister for Health in 2017, that no child would wait longer than four months for spinal surgery. 

“Simon Harris and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill have committed to an inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis care at Children’s Health Ireland,” Gillian said outside government buildings today.

“The terms of reference of this inquiry are to be drawn up in collaboration with parental advocacy groups, the Scoliosis Advocacy Network and the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group, and the Minister for Health and Tanaiste.

“We will be having a follow-up meeting which should occur in three weeks’ time, and we hope that this inquiry will be the start of bringing about real substantial change and bring some justice for Harvey.”

Young Harvey Gillian Sherratt Gillian Sherratt

Harvey was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and developing scoliosis and was partially paralysed and non-verbal. He died on 29 July this year, eight months after eventually having surgery having waited years for his operation.

At one point, he was also removed from a spinal surgery waiting list without the knowledge of his parents.

Since his death, his parents have continued their campaign to improve the medical care received by children with spinal health issues. 

They have called for Harris to resign for his failure to keep the promises he made in relation to the care of children with scoliosis.

More widely, CHI, the HSE and the Government have been widely criticised by advocacy groups and opposition politicians for their handling of a series of crises involving children’s healthcare in Ireland over the last two years. 

Not only have many children faced delays for surgery with CHI, but unnecessary hip surgeries have also been performed on children who didn’t need them, a report has found.

Harris spoke to Harvey’s mother, Gillian, by phone last month. 

Following the call, a spokesperson for the Tánaiste said he had sought, through the Minister for Health, a full multidisciplinary report on the timeline of care provided to Harvey.