Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the review of the practice of symphysiotomy in hospitals in this State will report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30975/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish a Commission of Inquiry into the practice of symphysiotomy at hospitals in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30976/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the contact she has had with the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology since it began its review of the practice of symphysiotomy in hospitals in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30977/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to ensure that the experiences and views of victims of symphysiotomy are properly and fully reflected in the review being conducted by the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30978/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 176, inclusive, together.

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.

The Institute have given my request detailed consideration with a view to addressing this issue comprehensively by using all the necessary independent expertise to take account of the concerns of those involved and in particular the women who have undergone this procedure. I understand that the Institute are finalising a team who will be responsible for preparing this report and this will be made public when finalised. Whilst the Institute have given no firm date for the completion of the report I am advised the report will take a number of months to finalise.

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, 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, 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.