Trevor Sargent
Question:152 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress he has made is assisting the survivors of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7089/04]
View answerWednesday, 3 March 2004
Questions (89)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, I met the Survivors of Symphysiotomy — SOS —group, and I agreed that a range of measures would be put in place by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and the health boards to support the group. Since then, the ERHA and the health boards have been liaising on a regular basis with the SOS group on the implementation of these measures, and I am advised that the current position is as follows: each health board-authority has appointed a liaison officer within the organisation to liaise with patients who have undergone symphysiotomy; the ERHA and the health boards have initiated steps to ascertain the number of symphysiotomies carried out in hospitals in their regions — it may take some time to complete this process as procedures may have been carried out in maternity units or in hospitals that no longer exist; an exercise is under way to profile patients to assist in formulating a needs assessment for each individual — the SOS group is helping to contact its members in this regard; arrangements are being finalised with regard to the provision of independent counselling services; an information leaflet has been prepared in consultation with the SOS group and this leaflet will issue from the ERHA-health boards to general practitioners and patients shortly; arrangements are being made to provide independent clinical advice to patients who have undergone symphysiotomy — this has already been availed of by a number of members of the SOS group, and the ERHA-health boards have indicated that they will be submitting details of a health care package for patients to the Department shortly; and discussions have taken place with SOS regarding the setting-up of an information line which would be staffed by appropriate health care personnel.
In addition, my Department has been in discussion with the ERHA-health boards and the Department of Social and Family Affairs on a range of eligibility issues in respect of the provision of services and assistance to the patients.
The ERHA and the health boards will continue to liaise with the group on the implementation of the above measures. The chief medical officer has contacted an international expert, with a view to undertaking an external review of the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland and he is awaiting his reply.