An opinion on Symphysiotomies

Ihaveanopinion

Please feel free to move this if you feel it belongs somewhere else.

This might be a bit controversial but I need to vent.

Having watched the Primetime special, listened to the News and have heard these people calling on the HSE, the government and Europe for an inquiry, I have to say - Hold on a second!

The last of these procedures took place in 1982 - 28 years ago!

The person who performed the majority is dead!

The administration who supervised both the health board and the hospital has changed multiple times since!

Now this practice has no place in today's Irish obstetric practice. But a practice that finished 28 years ago is being judged by today's standard. While I sympathize with these women, this is not appropriate.

If they are stating that medical negligence is their claim, the stature of limitations for medical negligence is 2 years anyway. [ Ref http://www.cantillons.com/medical_negligence.asp].

There is nothing constructive to be gained from a lengthy and expensive public inquiry. A claim was made that these women are looking for compensation ( which they deny ). I have to say I am suspicious.

This needs to stop now!

Vorsprung

Whatever the indication for it, it sounds like it had some pretty horrific side effects that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Thankfully, the other options for shoulder dystocia are invariably successful so symphysiotomies don't need to be performed.

That said, this topic was discussed in the media many times over the last few years. Is that fact that it was on Prime Time the only reason why it's back in the news?

Ihaveanopinion

Yup - a request has been made multiple times for an inquiry to be opened. And has been refused by multiple Ministers for health on the grounds that it would yield nothing constructive.

Because the media has grabbed hold of it - its gained more attention

Graces7

Many of the women to whom this was done are, however, still alive, and many of them are still suffering.

We know a family in which three women were subjected to this and who were and are disabled still.

An aspect which seems to get forgotten very easily in defending professionals in Ireland

An inquiry and public recogition of this, especially as there were "moral" overtones to this procedure, would help them vastly.

To cast doubt on their motives as the OP did is an added abuse and insult to them.