Child spinal care commission of investigation recommended

A Government-backed scoping report into a series of children's hospital spina bifida and scoliosis controversies has confirmed a commission of investigation should take place to examine what happened but has stopped short of calls for a public tribunal-style inquiry.

RTÉ News understands the 134-page scoping report has recommended the investigation, which it said should begin next year, will examine the Children's Health Ireland waiting list system between January 2019 and April last year.

However, it is likely to focus on system issues rather than looking at individual cases, meaning it is likely the case of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt who died in July last year after being on a waiting list since 2022 will not be specifically reviewed as an individual investigation.

The scoping exercise has also recommended that the use of non-medical springs by one consultant at Temple Street Hospital between 2020 and 2022 will also be reviewed, with a focus on what Children's Health Ireland knew about the case.

In addition, while the scoping exercise has said separate examinations should take place into spinal surgery and hip dysplasia issues during this period, these modules will not begin until separate ongoing current investigations conclude.

The scoping exercise was overseen by senior counsel Remy Farrell and began its work in February this year.

It was sent to families this evening, while separate briefings also took place for families and Oireachtas Health Committee members this afternoon.

In a statement, the Spina Bifida Campaign Group criticised the lack of time the Department of Health gave families to prepare for the briefing into the scoping exercise, and said in the group's review the commission of investigation plans do not go far enough.

"We were disheartened to have been given very little notice of today's technical briefing, particularly given the significance of this report to the children, young adults and families directly affected.

"We have now received the report and our initial reading is that it falls well below what had been promised by Government.

"Our concerns are significant, and we believe the report falls far short of the patient and family centred approach that Government had committed to," the group said.

Adding: "We will now take the necessary time to properly consider the findings with our membership before commenting in detail and determining our next steps."