Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Procedures.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

373 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the measures promised at the meeting of 10 October 2003 with Survivors of Symphysiotomy will be implemented; when this group will be advised that the measures are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26235/03]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

374 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will appoint the obstetrician from outside the State as promised on 10 October 2003 to examine the practice of symphysiotomy and report to him. [26236/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.

The Deputy will be aware that I met the Survivors of Symphysiotomy – SOS – group on 1 October 2003. Arising from this meeting, it was agreed that a range of measures put forward by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and the health boards, and designed to support the group would be implemented.

Each health board/authority is to designate a liaison person within the organisation who will liaise with the Survivors of Symphysiotomy in its area. Each health board/authority is to supply details regarding the numbers of symphysiotomies carried out in its area. Counselling services will be offered by health boards to the Survivors of Symphysiotomy. An information pack will be compiled and made available to general practitioners in each health board area in relation to symphysiotomy. A similar pack will also be prepared for patients. The development of such a pack will take heed of expert clinical advice. Independent clinical advice will be offered to the Survivors of Symphysiotomy where requested. Appointments will be fast tracked if possible. The establishment of a helpline for patients will be considered as a priority by the ERHA/health boards. The ERHA/health boards will give sympathetic consideration to the refund of medical expenses in respect of treatments required to address the effects of symphysiotomy.

The ERHA and the health boards will continue to liaise with the Survivors of Symphysiotomy, SOS, group on the implementation of the above measures. In this regard, my Department is advised that a further meeting will take place with the group on Thursday, 13 November to progress matters further.

In relation to the appointment of an obstetrician to examine the practice of symphysiotomy, I have had inquiries made in this regard, and I expect to appoint a suitable person for this purpose shortly.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

375 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was only allowed £2,431.62 as a result of the Mercy Hospital, Cork, applying to the Department for an ex gratia payment for them; the reason the superannuation section of his Department stated that this person was entitled to an ex gratia gratuity of £2,431.62; the reason the person was not paid more given that they worked an average of 28 hours per week in the catering department, Mercy Hospital, from 1 March 1984 to 29 May 2000; the reason a previous question was referred back to the Mercy Hospital, Cork, given that it was the Department that made the decision on a totally inadequate amount of ex gratia gratuity; and if he will consider giving an increased payment to this person given their 16 years work with the Mercy Hospital. [26237/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Under the terms of the ex-gratia retirement benefits scheme for non-pensionable staff in voluntary hospitals, all part-time non-pensionable employees with at least five years service qualify for a gratuity calculated at one week's pay for each year of service up to 15 years and two weeks pay for each subsequent year subject to a maximum of 78 weeks pay.

The amount referred to by the Deputy relates to an estimate requested by the employer in December 1999. On foot of the Deputy's previous question in December 2002 concerning this individual, further details were requested from the employer by my Department. A formal appli cation forex gratia retirement benefits was received from the employer on Friday, 7 November 2003 and a final figure has been calculated. The authorisation subsequently issued to the employer on Friday, 7 November 2003 for payment of these benefits to the person concerned. The final award authorised by my Department is €3,196.54, £2,517.48. This amount is based on service less unpaid leave, 14.3397 years, and calculated in accordance with the rules of the scheme as outlined above.