Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will meet with a group (details supplied); when commitments made to this group in October 2003 will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14605/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My predecessor met the survivors of symphysiotomy group in late 2003 and agreed that a range of measures would be put in place to support the group. My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that the current position in this regard is as follows. The former health boards and the relevant voluntary hospitals have appointed liaison officers, who have met and continue to meet patients that have undergone symphysiotomy to discuss their health care needs. An exercise was conducted, in conjunction with the SOS group, to profile patients in order to assist in formulating a needs assessment for each individual. An assessment service for patients has recently been established at Cappagh Hospital in Dublin. This service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team which undertakes an assessment of patients, following which recommendations for care pathways are discussed with individual patients. Independent clinical advice is available, on request, through the liaison personnel, to patients who have undergone symphysiotomy. This has already been availed of by a number of members of SOS and appropriate follow-up has been arranged. Independent counselling services are available to patients where requested. Information packs have been made available to general practitioners and relevant health care personnel. It has been agreed to grant medical cards, based on medical grounds, to SOS patients who do not have such eligibility. The HSE is presently finalising arrangements for the issuing of replacement medical cards which will contain a special patient identifier that will allow for the fast-tracking of patients requiring hospital appointments and treatments, together with the provision of certain non-GMS items recommended for patients by their GP and consultant.

My Department is advised that, following a number of meetings with the SOS group, it was agreed to defer the setting-up of a helpline. The provision of an information line is subject to active consideration by the HSE. It is evident from the foregoing that considerable progress has been made in putting in place a comprehensive range of support services for patients who have undergone symphysiotomy. The HSE will continue to oversee the provision of necessary support services for this patient group.