Waterford TD welcomes inquiry into child scoliosis services
CHI Children's Health Ireland.
Waterford TD Conor McGuinness welcomed the public inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida services at CHI (Children's Health Ireland).
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Health stated the public inquiry was needed in the wake of the death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt.
The nine-year old boy was diagnosed with spina bifida and scoliosis and died in July 2025, after a life-long struggle to receive basic healthcare for his condition.
Thousands of children across Ireland are on waiting lists for an assessment by the HSE’s children disability network teams (CDNTs).
Deputy McGuinness said: "It is clear that Harvey was failed and his parents want answers. It’s equally clear that no child should have to go through what Harvey endured and that no parent should have to go through what Harvey’s parents experienced.
“A public inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida services at CHI needs to be comprehensive and wide-ranging. It must identify all the facts and shine a light on all the failings which delayed care for so many children."
Deputy McGuinness noted that children are still being failed by the health system and the government in accessing adequate services. He commented: "It is also important to note that children are still being failed today. Far too many are waiting longer than four months and all the political promises from Simon Harris and government as a whole have been broken time and again.
"A public inquiry has to be about getting answers for parents and real accountability. We must also fix the broken system and invest in specialist orthopaedic services for children once and for all. Parents want an end to excuses. They want delivery and they want children to get timely access to care.”
