Written answers
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Department of Health and Children
Hospital Procedures
11:00 pm
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will have an independent inquiry carried out into the practice of symphysiotomy in hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26331/09]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Human Rights Commission was requested some time ago by a patient advocacy group to conduct an inquiry into matters relating to the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland from the 1950s up to 1983. Having considered the matter in some detail the Commission decided against conducting such an Inquiry under the Human Rights Commission Act, 2000.
The Commission recommended that I review a previous decision not to establish an external review of the practice. Significant efforts had been made previously by the Department's Chief Medical Officer, via the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and through international contacts, to source a suitable reviewer. Progress was made in identifying and sourcing a suitable candidate who later became unavailable due to work commitments. However, the Survivors of Symphysiotomy, another patient support group, subsequently expressed reservations over the choice of reviewer. Thereafter it did not prove possible to source an independent expert. My Department remains in correspondence with the Commission in relation to the matter.
The Deputy may also wish to note that in line with a recommendation from the Commission my Department has asked the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to consider the preparation of clinical guidelines covering the practice of symphysiotomy.
Comments
Sheila Martin
Posted on 25 Jul 2009 2:33 am (Report this comment)
The NMH brought in the active birth management and that indeed ended symphysiotomy. One cannot comare the Lourdes with NMH there is no comparrison. There are no figures from The NMH or indeed any other hospital only the Lourdes (which I compiled myslef) The Lourdes are the only hospital that one can explain through their reports (which have) what was carried out. There were elective symphysiotomies, emergency symphyiotomis and also others performed during a section known as "One the way out".....It would not take rocket science to realise the Lourdes was dictated to by NMH but for some odd reason the Lourdes did not move further until Dr Connolly left in 1982.. People who speak about the proocedure really need to understand this whole procedure. The Hospital thought it was the greatest thing ever as they hoped it would do away with c/Section...which we all know it is only safe for three. Thusfamily planning came into play at that stage a as sterilisation was a non runner in a catholic hospital, however A caesarean Section was acceptable and those who had three or more would end up with difficulty and hence in came a caesarean hysterectomy. The faact of the matter sterilisation was not permitted in the Lourdes but a hysterectomy was.
Some one should this same study on NMH and see what their history is and how many syms were performed there no one seems to know this,
Sheila Martin
Marie O'Connor
Posted on 24 Jul 2009 1:17 pm (Report this comment)
The refusal of the Minister to set up a review of symphysiotomy rests on shifting sands.
The sole obstetrician approached to review the revival of symphysiotomy in Ireland was Dr Kenneth Bjorklund, who had previously published a paper in the medical press calling for the reinstatement of this pelvis-severing surgery. Public controversy erupted over his perceived lack of impartiality, and he withdrew.
To claim that it has proved impossible to source a so-called independent expert is nonsense. What may be difficult is to identify someone as partial to symphysiotomy as Bjorklund.
In the interim, the Minister should advise her Department that enlisting the assistance of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in identifying a reviewer is inappropriate. Foxes are not usually involved in compiling mortality data on chickens.
Marie O'Connor