Vol. 552 No. 4
56 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in the investigation into allegations that women at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth were unnecessarily subjected to caesarean hysterectomies; if he has satisfied himself that adequate support and counselling services are available for the women concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12543/02]
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 provision of services in its functional area.
The chief executive officer of the board took immediate steps to deal with the situation as soon as he became aware of it and the board initiated a review which was carried out by experts nominated by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The report of the review group has been referred by the board to the Medical Council in the context of its statutory functions as set out in the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
Since the matter is being investigated by the Medical Council, I will await the outcome of its deliberations prior to deciding what further measures may be required in this case.
With regard to support and counselling services, the NEHB established a helpline in December 1998, which is still extant, to provide counselling and advice to patients. The board is also working in partnership with various patient groups to ensure that patients receive appropriate advice and all necessary support.
