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Survivors and supporters at a protest outside the Department of An Taoiseach on Merrion Street before handing in a letter for the Taoiseach. Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Childbirth
"Time of the essence" in symphysiotomy redress as three survivors die
The three deaths have occurred since the scheme was announced in July.
THREE OF THE women awaiting redress for having a symphysiotomy procedure carried out on them have died since the proposed redress scheme was announced this summer.
Patient Focus and SOS Ltd, two groups who each advocate for symphysiotomy survivors, held a meeting with Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, in the Department of Health this week to receive an update on the Symphysiotomy Redress Scheme.
In a statement, Patient Focus said:
At this stage time is really of the essence for the women. Sadly three of the women have passed away since the scheme was announced on 1 July 2014.
They said that the women’s deaths were “particularly traumatic given the closeness of resolution”.
It was announced in July by the then-Minister for Health James Reilly that a redress scheme will be put in place for women who underwent symphysiotomy procedures.
He said he was delighted that the announcement “will help bring closure for the many women who have suffered for decades following this procedure”.
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