1,500 women who underwent a controversial childbirth procedure want closure, writes CARL O'BRIEN
PATIENTS’ GROUPS have written to the Minister for Health requesting that the proceeds of a lucrative deal between the Government and a medical indemnity company be used to compensate victims of a controversial childbirth procedure.
The Government is close to agreeing a deal with the UK-based Medical Defence Union (MDU) over who should pay for the cost of claims made against doctors who were previously covered by the organisation. It is likely to yield millions of euro for the State.
Patient Focus yesterday said there were dozens of elderly survivors of symphysiotomy who were unable to go to court to get compensation, despite suffering life-long health problems such as incontinence and chronic pain.
Symphysiotomies were controversial procedures that involved permanently widening the pelvis during childbirth in order to accommodate a baby’s head. The operation, carried out on 1,500 women in Ireland from 1944 to 1992, was described recently by a High Court judge as a “grave medical malpractice” and a “wholly unnecessary” procedure. In most cases the consent of women was not sought by doctors.
In a statement, Patient Focus and the Survivors of Symphysiotomy support group said the proceeds of a deal with the MDU would be a “golden opportunity” to finally provide redress to victims.
“We know that the Minister for Health James Reilly is committed to bringing closure to the victims of these terrible scandals and has said so on a number of occasions,” said Sheila O’Connor of Patient Focus.
“Now is the time to fulfil these promises.”
She said the funds would provide long overdue redress for victims who in many cases were unable to go to court because they were outside a three-year time limit to take legal action.
In addition, she said there were at least 35 victims of Dr Michael Neary who underwent unnecessary hysterectomies and have not yet been compensated.
Ms O’Connor said the withdrawal of cover by the MDU had caused these victims, in particular, intense distress and suffering.
“As a result, many of them had no possibility of obtaining compensation through the courts for the extreme damage they suffered at his hand . . . The Government has said it is committed to providing them with redress,” she said.
Negotiations to settle protracted litigation between the State and the MDU are understood to be at an advanced stage.
If a deal is reached, it could generate millions of euro for the State which has been paying the cost of claims since the MDU declined to provide cover for Irish consultants several years ago.
Department of Health sources say money generated as part of any deal with the organisation is likely to be used to partly offset the unanticipated cost of providing lump sum payments and pensions to health service staff who retired over recent months.