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Medical Records

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Ceisteanna (421)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

421. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with medical records, as requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4594/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme is operating very well since it was established on 10 November 2014. It was estimated that 350 women would apply to the Scheme, but in fact 578 applications have been accepted by the Scheme and as at 22 January 2016, 347 awards have been made.

Regarding the Deputy's question relating to a person's medical records, each hospital retains medical records on patients and it is up to the person themselves (or a representative for the person) to seek those medical records directly from the hospital.

Judge Maureen Harding Clark, Assessor to the Scheme has informed my officials that a number of applicants had been unable to establish their belief that they had a symphysiotomy because their records were not readily obtainable. This was especially so in a small number of cases where the applicants were in nursing homes or small hospitals which had closed down. In such cases, the applicant should inform Judge Clark and send on correspondence indicating efforts to obtain those birth records. Where this happens, members of the Scheme are assisting the applicants to locate their records. Birth registers have been tracked down, Annual Clinical Reports in some cases have been consulted and contact made with FOI officers in relevant institutions. In some cases the symphysiotomy has been established. If reasonable efforts to locate documentary evidence are not successful, then arrangements are made to have such applicants examined by a gynaecologist for the presence of a surgical symphysiotomy scar and by a radiologist to establish the extent of any pubis symphysis widening.

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