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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Medical Practice.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

90 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the health board investigation on medical practice leading to a high level of caesarean hysterectomies in our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; the steps he is taking to deal with this issue and to ensure women are protected from such practices in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/01]

The matter raised by the Deputy is an important and sensitive one and is being handled accordingly by the North Eastern Health Board which has statutory responsibility for the management of services at the hospital in question. The North Eastern Health Board notified my Department immediately when this issue first came to light and I have been kept fully informed of developments.

The chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board took immediate steps to deal with the matter as soon as he became aware of it and the board initiated a review carried out by experts nominated by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The report of the review group was referred by the board to the Medical Council in the context of its statutory functions as set out in the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
I went to Drogheda last July and met many of the women involved and heard their experiences at first hand. The meeting was organised by Patient Focus. I had a further meeting with a group representing the women involved on Tuesday, 24 October 2000. I indicated at that meeting that I felt it would be better to await the outcome of the Medical Council's deliberations before deciding on any further action that might be required in this case. I intend to keep the matter under active review.
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