A demonstration is set to take place in Dublin city centre today in memory of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who died from a sudden illness last month, after waiting several years for essential spinal surgery.
This latest incident has brought renewed scrutiny on Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), which has already faced a slew of criticism this year for a range of other issues.
Co-founder of the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group Una Negley, who is taking part in today's demonstration, said her own son’s medical care has been neglected under CHI.
“I have a 14-year-old son who is living with Spina Bifida and scoliosis, and has been under CHI since I was pregnant,” she told The Anton Savage Show.
“He’s meant to have an annual Spina Bifida clinic review, that’s the minimum international standard of care, and he’s been seen eight times in 14 years.”
According to Ms Negley, her son is not listed for surgery and has not seen an orthopaedic spinal surgeon in three years.
“Even to get to the point where you can get listed for surgery, you have to be seen [by an orthopaedic spinal surgeon],” she said.
“We attended the Spina Bifida clinic at Easter and there was no orthopaedic spinal surgeon there; so [my son] didn’t get seen.
“I put in a complaint to CHI, who escalated it to the HSE, and the HSE said that we’d be seen in August.
“We got an appointment letter in August and that was subsequently cancelled, so he still hasn’t been seen to be assessed.”
Ms Negley said she hopes today’s demonstration shows the public support for “improved care standards and access to care for vulnerable children”.
'Justice for Harvey'
People Before Profit representative for Dublin Bay North Bernard Mulvaney said he is also personally affected by this issue, as his daughter has Spina Bifida and scoliosis.
“Nothing seems to be done or getting done for a long time," he said.
"We’re brought to the stage now where we have to do a demonstration in the city centre in the memory of a nine-year-old child who was failed.
“We’re doing this for his family to have a voice so that they can have their story told and they can get some sort of justice for Harvey.”
Main image: Harvey Morrison passed away after delays in necessary scoliosis intervention Image: Stephen Morrison
