Key meeting with health minister over urgent Mayo medical case

The Minister for Health has met with the Mayo parents of Mikey Henry Benson who is awaiting specialist scoliosis surgery.

Mayo Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh thanked Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for the time she afforded the family.

Speaking previously in Dáil Éireann about the case, the Erris-based TD stated: "It is an absolute disgrace that even today we still do not know which children were wrongly removed from the scoliosis waiting list or why it happened.

"Families have been left in the dark while children suffer in pain.

"There is a clear culture of secrecy, concealment and unaccountability at the heart of children’s healthcare and an utter lack of transparency.

"I have raised on a number of occasions the situation regarding Mikey Henry Benson who is still waiting for the procedures he needs.

"I am anxious that a way forward is found to ensure that Mikey Henry Benson receives the treatment he urgently needs.

"He is 17 years old and has a neurological condition. He is a wheelchair user. He had severe scoliosis with a spinal curve of over 100 degrees in 2023.

"It was made clear to his mum what could happen to his vital organs if his scoliosis was not treated, yet Mikey was left to deteriorate.

"His spine and lungs were not monitored for another eight months. Meanwhile, his lungs were severely compromised.

"He is now on a bilevel position airway pressure, BiPAP, machine every night to remove the carbon dioxide from his lungs.

"His parents said their hearts were completely shattered when they were then told that he could not have his scoliosis surgery.

"His spinal curve is now 130 degrees. This would not happen in any other country."