Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the independent review of the procedure of symphysiotomy in hospitals here in the 1940s and 1950s as announced on 1 October 2003. [5115/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the promised counselling and free health service for the victims of the procedure of symphysiotomy practised in hospitals here in the 1940s and 1950s. [5117/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 267 together.

My predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Martin, met the Survivors of Symphysiotomy, SOS, 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, HSE, that the following is the position with regard to the services now in place. The former health boards and the relevant voluntary hospitals appointed liaison officers, who met and continue to meet with patients who have undergone symphysiotomy to discuss their health care needs. 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. An assessment service for patients was established at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin. This service is provided by a multidisciplinary team which undertakes an assessment of patients, following which, recommendations for care pathways are discussed with individual patients. Medical cards have been granted, based on medical grounds, to SOS patients who do not have such eligibility. The HSE has recently issued replacement medical cards that contain a unique patient identifier that is designed to allow for the fast-tracking of patients requiring hospital appointments and-or treatments. The provision of certain non-GMS items recommended for patients by their GP and-or consultant will continue and the pharmacist-supplier will be reimbursed by the HSE. In addition, medical expenses related to symphysiotomy may be refunded, where necessary, to patients in respect of medication-private treatments required to address the effects of symphysiotomy. Applications for home help and modifications are dealt with on an individual basis and applications are fast-tracked, where necessary. Independent counselling services are available to patients where requested. Information packs have been made available to general practitioners and relevant health care personnel.

I met the chairperson of the SOS group and a representative of the HSE on 17 January 2006. The chairperson expressed satisfaction with regard to progress made to date. Regarding the matter of a review, I advised that my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Martin, had been exploring the idea of engaging an expert from abroad to advise on the practice of symphysiotomy and that it did not prove possible to source such a person who would be acceptable to the various interests.

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.