Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has described as "devastating" a newspaper report that claims nine-year-old Harvey Morrison was taken off a surgery waiting list because Children's Health Ireland (CHI) believed he was a palliative patient.
The Sunday Times reported the claims were made by a whistleblower within CHI in a Protected Disclosure which is currently under investigation.
It claims he was removed from the list as he was being treated as palliative, while a report from Great Ormond Street Hospital which said he was a suitable candidate for spine straightening surgery.
The HSE defines palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of people facing problems associated with life-limiting illness and supports their families.
Speaking this afternoon, Mary Lou McDonald said: "These allegations are absolutely devastating. How on earth could a child in need of surgery be removed from the surgical list without the knowledge or consent of their parents? I'd like to know who knew about this within the CHI and who knew about this in government and when."
Deputy McDonald said the family will have many questions when they meet with the Minister for Health and the Tánaiste next week.
"We need to get to the truth. Why was Harvey removed from the list? Who knew about it?"
She said a 'full independent statutory inquiry' was needed.
Three years on a waiting list
Harvey Morrison suffered from spina bifida and scoliosis.
He spent almost three years on a waiting list before his death in July, which sparked protests and calls for a full investigation into his treatment.
Last year, Harvey's parents said that he had been removed from a CHI waiting list for urgent scoliosis surgery without their consent or knowledge.
It has yet to be clarified as to why his name was removed from the waiting list for surgery.
In a statement issued on X today, Harvey's mother Gillian Sherratt said she had always fought for her son since becoming pregnant.
She said she had fought for his scoliosis surgery and for answers when the family found out he was removed from the surgical list.
She said Harvey is now gone and they will continue to fight for him, and for the other children and families facing unnecessary and cruel battles.
She said they would never keep quiet or just accept what had been allowed to happen.
CHI said it could not comment publicly about this individual case as it was bound by patient confidentiality for all its patients.
But it said it continued to extend its deepest condolences to the Morrison-Sherratt family on the loss of their son.
It said many of its staff had cared for Harvey his whole life and were deeply affected by his passing.
CHI said it remains available to meet Harvey’s family, if and when they wish to do so.
The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric advocacy group said Harvey's tragic passing and what his family has gone through was not only heartbreaking for those who loved him, but also underscored the urgency of the impending inquiry into CHI, which it said must be backed by statutory authority.
It said such a framework is essential to ensure accountability and enforce necessary reforms within paediatric healthcare communication and practices.
Aontu leader Peadar Tóibín said the family needs answers.
In a post on X, he said: "I have called for CHI to appear before the Health Committee this week and for the Tánaiste and the Minister for Health to answer questions on the floor of the Dáil as to the shocking decisions that were made in relation to Harvey Sharrat [sic]."
The HSE said its CEO Bernard Gloster received a draft timeline from CHI in respect of Harvey’s care late this summer.
It said this draft was sent to Harvey’s parents Stephen and Gillian for any input they might wish to give.
The HSE said Mr Gloster is anxious to discuss with Harvey’s parents, when they are ready, the possibility of a HSE review of his care.
It added that in the event of such a review, any and all available information will be considered.
In a statement today, the Department of Health said it does not comment on individual protected disclosures.
Harvey Morrison's family is due to meet with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Tánaiste Simon Harris this Wednesday to discuss the scope of the inquiry.
