Prime Minister acknowledges issues in pediatric surgical services, as opposition intensifies criticism
In the first Leaders' Questions session of the new Dáil term, the Government faced strong criticism over delays in treatment for children with scoliosis. The case of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, a child who tragically passed away following a sudden deterioration in his health, has become a focal point of this controversy.
Harvey was born in 2017, the same year then-Minister for Health Simon Harris promised that no child would wait more than four months for spinal surgery. However, it seems that Harvey had to wait several years for the surgery he desperately needed.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin affirmed that disability is a top priority for the Government, but acknowledged shortcomings in areas such as spinal surgery, assessment of need, and availability of therapies. He expressed understanding of the anger and frustration felt by parents whose children do not receive surgical intervention at the right time.
Nearly 16,000 children are now overdue an assessment of need and essential therapies, according to Social Democrats leader Catherine Cairns. She asserted that disabled people are guaranteed only broken promises and a waiting list by the Government. Ms. Cairns also highlighted the fact that there are 135 children on waiting lists without a date for surgery, with 40 of them having waited six months or more.
In response, the Taoiseach offered his deepest condolences to Harvey's parents, saying, "it is an extraordinarily traumatic thing to happen to any family, but in these circumstances, even more traumatic in terms of the experiences that the family and Harvey had with the hospitals."
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has taken action, appointing herself to conduct an investigation into the timelines of Harvey's care by Children's Health Ireland in September 2023. She has also met with Children's Health Ireland to ask for a report on the timeline of Harvey's care. Furthermore, Minister Carroll MacNeill and former Minister Simon Harris are scheduled to meet Harvey's parents 'in the near future.'
The HSE is providing stronger supports to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) to create additional capacity, particularly in spinal services. This move is aimed at reducing the waiting times for children in need of urgent medical attention in Ireland.
In a related development, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy opened proceedings by highlighting an alarming rise in serious threats and online abuse directed at a significant number of Oireachtas members. She requested a meeting with all party and group leaders to formulate an appropriate consensus response to deal with this issue.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved healthcare services for children with disabilities in Ireland. The Government must take swift and decisive action to address these issues and ensure that no child has to endure the same ordeal as Harvey Morrison Sherratt.
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