Government accepts call for private Children’s Health Ireland investigation

The Government has agreed to establish a private Commission of Investigation into a series of “very distressing” issues affecting children treated by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).

A scoping exercise led by barrister Remy Farrell SC, published on Monday, recommended a single‑member commission to examine four areas of care – scoliosis, spina bifida, hip dysplasia and the Crumlin Orphans case – covering the period 2019 to 2025, with the latter issue extending back to 2008.

Farrell’s 136‑page report argued that a private commission, likely headed by a judge or former judge, would better protect children’s identities than a public tribunal, given the sensitive health data involved.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed the recommendations, thanking parents, families and advocacy groups for their collaboration. She noted the report highlighted families’ difficult experiences and that the HSE, CHI and the minister remain responsible for implementing solutions.

The commission will investigate CHI’s handling of waiting‑time delays, funding of five urology clinics, the use of €19 million National Treatment Purchase Fund monies allocated in 2022 for spinal surgery, and the use of non‑CE‑marked spinal surgery devices between 2020 and 2022. It will also examine alleged pressure on parents of children with hip dysplasia to consent to surgery and disparities in care for spina bifida and scoliosis patients at Crumlin versus Temple Street.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels.