Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
293 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when progress will be made in the cases of survivors of symphysiotomy; if an independent obstetrician has been identified to review cases; when this person will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/04]
View answerAt a meeting which I had with the survivors of symphysiotomy, the SOS group late last year, 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. The current position is as follows. The health boards and the relevant voluntary hospitals in the eastern region have appointed liaison officers, who are meeting patients who have undergone symphysiotomy to discuss their healthcare needs. The chief executive officers of the health boards and the ERHA have agreed to grant GMS eligibility, based on medical grounds, to SOS patients who do not have such eligibility. A special patient identifier card will be issued which will facilitate the health care system to fast-track patients for appointments and treatments. The CEOs' group is finalising arrangements for the establishment of care pathways and for a multi-disciplinary medical team to be made available in respect of the patients.
The ERHA and the health boards are proceeding to ascertain the number of symphysiotomies carried out in hospitals throughout the country. 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 ongoing, in conjunction with the SOS group, to profile patients in order to assist in formulating a needs assessment for each individual. Independent counselling services are available to all patients where requested. An information leaflet has been prepared in consultation with the SOS group and is expected to issue from the ERHA and health boards to general practitioners and patients shortly.
Independent clinical advice is available, on request, to patients who have undergone symphysiotomy. This has already been availed of by a number of members of the SOS group. Discussions are ongoing with the SOS group regarding the setting up of an information line which would be staffed by appropriate healthcare personnel.
The chief medical officer of my Department has contacted an international expert with a view to undertaking an external review of the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland and discussions are continuing in this regard.
