Imagine discovering your child, desperately needing life-altering surgery, was secretly removed from the waiting list. This is the heartbreaking reality for Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, parents of Harvey Sherratt, a nine-year-old boy who tragically passed away after a long battle with scoliosis. A recent whistleblower's revelation has exposed a shocking allegation: Children's Health Ireland (CHI) allegedly removed Harvey from their spinal surgery waiting list, mistakenly labeling him a 'palliative' patient. This bombshell, revealed in the Sunday Times, has left Harvey's parents reeling. But here's where it gets even more disturbing: a consultant surgeon from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) later deemed Harvey suitable for surgery once his bone density improved. Despite this, CHI management was reportedly misinformed, believing the GOSH consultant agreed with their initial assessment that Harvey wasn't ready for surgery.
Gillian Sherratt, Harvey's mother, is outraged. She vehemently denies Harvey ever needed palliative care, pointing out the glaring absence of any such documentation in his medical records or involvement of a palliative care team. “Even if Harvey was palliative, which I can say 100% he was not, why is that not in his medical records? Why was he not linked to a palliative care team? It makes no sense,” she stated. She further highlights the absurdity of the situation, noting that Harvey wasn’t even prescribed pain relief, a basic necessity for any child receiving palliative care.
The Sherratts, along with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, are demanding a full independent statutory inquiry. “These allegations are absolutely devastating,” McDonald stated. “How on earth could a child in need of surgery be removed from the surgical list without the knowledge or consent of their parents? We need to get to the truth. Why was Harvey removed from the list? Who knew about it?”
This case raises serious questions about CHI's handling of Harvey's care and the potential for systemic neglect. Gillian Sherratt is determined to get answers. She will be meeting with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Tánaiste Simon Harris, seeking clarity on the government's response to the whistleblower's disclosure. “I want Jennifer Carroll McNeill to get to the bottom of whether or not this was malicious or accidental,” she said. “If this was done maliciously, there are people that need to be in front of the medical council.”
The Sherratts' fight for justice goes beyond their own tragedy. “There could be other kids in a similar situation,” Gillian Sherratt warns. Despite repeatedly questioning CHI about Harvey's removal from the waiting list, they have received no satisfactory explanation. They discovered his removal in August 2024, after three and a half years of waiting for surgery, by which time the curve in his spine had reached a life-threatening 130 degrees. While Harvey eventually underwent surgery in December 2024, his health deteriorated eight months later, leading to his untimely death on July 29th.
The whistleblower's disclosure, initially made in August 2025 with further details provided in October, also alleges that CHI staff faced “threats to silence” after raising concerns internally about Harvey's case. The whistleblower cites “concerns about patient safety” and “governance” at CHI as the motivation for coming forward.
The Department of Health, adhering to the Protected Disclosures Act, has declined to comment on the individual case. CHI and the HSE have also been contacted for comment.
This heart-wrenching story highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability within healthcare systems. It begs the question: how many other families are suffering in silence due to potential negligence or mismanagement? The Sherratts' fight for justice is not just about their son; it's about preventing similar tragedies from occurring to other vulnerable children.
What are your thoughts on this shocking case? Do you believe a full independent inquiry is necessary? Share your opinions in the comments below.
