Scoliosis and spina bifida advocacy groups have threatened to take a case in the High Court against health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill over delays to a statutory inquiry into spinal care at Children’s Health Ireland. The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group and Scoliosis Advocacy Network sent a letter to the minister saying they are considering High Court action. This week, 62 children were recalled for spinal care at Children’s Health Ireland as part of a review into the work of an orthopaedic consultant at CHI and at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Cappagh. Ms Carroll MacNeill has been urged to progress the public inquiry. Ms Coughlan Santry told the Irish Examiner the two advocacy groups were “not happy” with how Ms Carroll MacNeill appointed a facilitator to scope out the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Source: Irish Examiner February 22, 2026 02:53 UTC