Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

One of the most remarkable findings in the report is that few people complained or questioned. Management and staff reasoned that they did not deal with the high rate of peripartum hysterectomy at Drogheda because they were not informed, all the hysterectomies were carried out for a very good reason, there was no audit and because no one knew what was an acceptable rate.

The inquiry found that none of the obstetricians who worked with Dr. Neary at Drogheda was aware that there was a culture of early resort to hysterectomy. The inquiry was critical of the extent to which the anaesthetists present at the procedures failed to question the obstetric practice. The pathologists assumed that some hysterectomies were sterilisations.

Some junior doctors felt a special gratitude to Dr. Neary for his time in assisting them with obstetric emergencies, while others were disturbed by the lack of meetings, teaching and discussion. In common with some of the midwives and anaesthetists, they described how Dr. Neary could not adapt to new procedures and did not find it easy to delegate.