By Aine Kenny

Copyright rsvplive

The nation grieved when it heard of the untimely passing of nine year old Harvey Morrison this summer.

Harvey, from Clondalkin in Dublin, had complex health conditions, including spina bifida and scoliosis. He was also a wheelchair user and non-verbal.

His parents, Stephen and Gillian, have tirelessly campaigned for the healthcare rights of children with disabilities for the past nine years, including for their son.

Harvey’s parents have stated that Harvey waited several years for spinal surgery, and they maintain this wait meant his condition deteriorated so badly that his spine curved to 130 degrees.

Harvey’s father Stephen also claimed Harvey was removed from a Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) waiting list for urgent scoliosis surgery without their consent or knowledge.

Harvey received spinal surgery last November after being first placed on the waiting list in February 2022, RTÉ reports.

Tragically, little Harvey passed away at just nine years of age on the 29th July after a very short illness. His cause of death has not been released, according to his parents.

His death notice on RIP.ie read: “Our little rockstar Harvey passed away in the arms of mum and dad. He will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy. To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world.”

Since his untimely death, his parents say that the health service failed their son, and have called for urgent meetings with government officials.

There have been numerous protests around the country, to raise awareness of the long waiting lists that children with disabilities are facing, including for urgent scoliosis surgery.

Stephen and Gillian have vowed to keep raising awareness of this issue to demand answers from the health service, as well as the government.

The family previously called for Tánaiste Simon Harris to resign, as did Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, after he failed to follow through on his 2017 pledge that no child would wait longer than four months for spinal surgery.

A spokesperson for Mr Harris told RTÉ that when Harvey’s case was first raised with the Tánaiste, his office immediately contacted the Department of Health and the HSE and asked for immediate clinical attention.

“The Tánaiste expresses his deepest condolences to the family, as he did when he was asked about this matter,” the spokesperson said.

“When this issue was brought to his attention during his time as Taoiseach, his overriding focus was making sure that the proper clinical interventions and consultations were made available.

“He was informed an additional clinical assessment did then take place and surgery was subsequently scheduled.”

Mr Harris later stated he had spoken to Harvey’s mother and they had agreed to meet.

In a previous statement to RTÉ, CHI Ireland said it cannot comment on individual cases, and that the waiting list for spinal surgery “is constantly changing as children and young people have their surgeries and come off the list, new patients are added. Important progress is being made every month.”

CHI were contacted for comment.