The chief medical officer of my Department has been seeking an external reviewer to examine the practice of symphysiotomy as a tool of obstetrical practice in Ireland in past decades, taking into account the availability and safety of alternative procedures. A medical expert at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, was identified as a suitable candidate and indicated his interest in conducting the review.
However, he later informed the chief medical officer that his work schedule would not allow him to undertake such a review in the foreseeable future. The chief medical officer is continuing to seek a suitable international expert to perform the review.