Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has investigated the experience of mothers who survived the practice of symphysiotomy but suffered serious side effects; and if she plans any initiatives to investigate the position of survivors and offer support. [25932/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I have asked the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to prepare a report for me concerning the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland. I have asked that the report would: provide the Institute's assessment of the circumstances in which symphysiotomy was carried out in Irish obstetric units; indicate what protocols or guidance existed over the years to guide professional practice; and specify when the practice changed and why it changed at that time in Ireland.

I am also committed to ensuring that the greatest possible support and services are made available to women who continue to suffer effects of having undergone this procedure. The women concerned continue to receive attention and care through a number of services which have been put in place including: the provision of medical cards to all Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) patients who requested them; the nomination, since 2003, of a Liaison Officer for a patients' group comprised of women who underwent a symphysiotomy procedure; the availability of independent clinical advice for former patients by Liaison Officers who assist in co-ordinating the provision of services to those patients; and the organisation of individual pathways of care and the arrangement of appropriate follow-up, including Medical Assessment, Gynaecology Assessment, Orthopaedic Assessment, Counselling, Physiotherapy, Reflexology, Home Help, Acupuncture, Osteopathy and fast tracked hospital appointments - I understand that 125 women have availed of some or all of the services offered by the HSE; the refund of medical expenses related to symphysiotomy in respect of medication/private treatments; the establishment of a triple assessment service for patients at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin in January 2005; and a Support Group facilitated by a counsellor which was set up in 2004 in Dundalk and Drogheda for women living in North East region.

I have been assured by the HSE that it will continue to monitor and oversee the provision of necessary support services for women. In doing so the HSE is committed to being proactive in seeking out and offering help to women who had symphysiotomies and who may wish to avail of the services offered by the HSE.