Martin refuses request for symphysiotomy inquiry

The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, has declined a request by representatives from the Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) group to set up a sworn inquiry into the practice. However, Mr Martin described a meeting between the two parties in Dublin this afternoon as "productive", adding that his Department had agreed a number of measures with SOS. These include the provision of medical assessment and treatment for survivors, the assigning of a liaison person in each health board area and the establishment of a counselling service,

The Government will also launch a helpline, and an information pack will be sent out to those who underwent the procedure and GPs around the country so they can better understand the possible health complications associated with symphysiotomy.

The minister said an external review of the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland will also take place. He is to invite an independent obstetrician of international standing from outside of Ireland to review the cases and report back to him.

Symphysiotomy is the operation of cutting through the pelvis during childbirth. It was performed by Catholic doctors on women in preference to caesarean section, allegedly because of religious considerations.

Green Party chairman Mr John Gormley TD and Sinn Féin TD Mr Arthur Morgan have backed the group's demands for an inquiry.

Mr Gormley said today's decision by the minister was "regrettable". He said the Greens will pursue the matter in the Dáil and "will continue to call for a full investigation beginning with, at very least, a non-statutory inquiry."

Mr Morgan described the meeting as "a very goodfirst step". He said the minister made a commitment to provide the option of correctivesurgery to all survivors, including the option tohave this carried out abroad.

SOS has released figures showing nearly 350 women underwent the procedure between 1950 and 1983 in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda alone.

Hundreds of others are believed to have been subjected to what it calls the "barbaric procedure" in other maternity hospitals.

SOS claims that many of these women were not told about the extent of the procedure or asked for their consent before it was carried out. It says there are now hundreds of Irish women suffering the effects of the operation, which include back pain, incontinence and mobility problems.

The group is calling for an independent sworn inquiry into the practice. It is also seeking compensation for its members.