Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very serious issue that demands a very profound and comprehensive response. I again express my deepest sympathies to Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison on the very sad passing of their son Harvey. We have to do much better when it comes to healthcare services for our children. I understand the anger and frustrations felt by parents and the children and young people who are either awaiting surgery or are engaged with clinicians and hospitals in respect of their individual cases.

The Tánaiste and the Minister for Health met with Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison yesterday. There were advocates there also. A substantive, empathetic discussion ensued and it was agreed there would be a partnership approach to developing proposals in relation to the structure of an inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis services at CHI and that a follow-up meeting would happen in three weeks. The Minister wants to reflect and discuss further with the parents on the precise nature of the inquiry. It is important that we give this thought and think it through to get the most effective inquiry. Obviously, we need an inquiry that is transparent and public, can enable us to get to the truth and also can get us to a better situation post inquiry for services for children right now and into the future.

I have supported the decision by the Minister to bring CHI under the HSE. In fact, I would be a strong advocate for that. In earlier exchanges in the Dáil over the past number of months, I have been signalling that the Minister was heading in that direction. It makes absolute sense to me. The original decision was based on three hospitals being brought together under one umbrella but, historically, health has been too institution-centred as opposed to being patient-centred. The move to bring CHI under the HSE is a welcome move to make it more child-centred in this respect, and patient-centred. That is important in my view. One of the reasons CHI was established was the sort of institutional focus - dare I say egos and so on? - that was there. We had the same thing with Holles Street and the maternity hospital. It was the same situation, with things taking too long and the institutions being at the centre instead of what is optimal for the patient, the children and the families. That is where we want to be.

Progress is being made in terms of spinal services.

That needs to be said, but it is not enough.

See this speech in context