Survivors of Symphysiotomy call for redress scheme extension

A group representing survivors of symphysiotomy has called on the Government to extend the deadline for entry to the redress scheme for those who underwent the painful procedure.

Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SoS) chairwoman Marie O’Connor called for an extension of a year after saying replies to parliamentary questions suggested to her some historical records from maternity hospitals may not have been examined up to now to determine the extent of the numbers affected.

Ms O’Connor said there may be women who are unaware the procedure was carried out on them, and so the redress scheme ought to be extended to allow for the records to be examined.

She also claimed the Government has “covered up” the medical records and is “demanding that entry to the Minister’s scheme be extended by one year to enable this crucial new evidence to be mined and that the waiver that copper fastens the non-disclosure of these records be dropped with immediate effect.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health said there was “no substance” to the allegation that records were knowingly withheld from women.

“It is not unusual for hospital records to he held off site, given the number of patients managed by hospitals and the large volumes of files generated with details of procedures and case notes.”

Responses to the parliamentary questions, asked on behalf of SoS, which represents about 400 survivors of the procedure, outlined the location of the medical records in the Rotunda Hospital, Co Dublin; St Finbarr’s Hospital, Co Cork; and Airmount Hospital, Co Waterford.

The records for the Rotunda and Airmount Hospital were said to be on site, while the records from St Finbarr’s Hospital are at an offsite storage company called Iron Mountain in Springhill, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.