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Memo on public inquiry into child spinal care to be brought to Cabinet

Harvey Morrison had spina bifida and scoliosis and was nine years old when he died in July
Harvey Morrison had spina bifida and scoliosis and was nine years old when he died in July

The Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill expected to bring a memo to Cabinet this morning recommending the establishment of a statutory public model of inquiry into the care provided to children with scoliosis and spina bifida.

The development follows a meeting last week between the Tánaiste Simon Harris, the Heath Minister, and the parents of the late Harvey Morrison and relevant advocacy groups.

It is expected Minister Carroll MacNeill will tell her ministerial colleagues that a considerable body of work will be required to bring the inquiry to fruition, and a facilitator should be appointed to scope the content of potential terms of reference, in collaboration with stakeholders.

After the meeting last week, Harvey's mother, Gillian Sherratt, said the Government has agreed in principle to a statutory public inquiry which will look at Harvey's case and how other children with spina bifida and scoliosis have been dealt with.

Harvey, from Clondalkin in Dublin, had spina bifida and scoliosis.

He was nine years old when he died in July.

He had waited a number of years for spinal surgery and was first placed on the waiting list in February 2022.

Earlier this month, a newspaper reported claims that Harvey was taken off a surgery waiting list, because Children's Health Ireland (CHI) believed he was a palliative patient.

The Sunday Times said the claims were made by a whistleblower within CHI in a Protected Disclosure which is currently under investigation.