SF Criticises Govt's Symphysiotomy Payment and Redress Scheme

Sinn Féin has criticised the government's Symphysiotomy Payment and Redress Scheme and claimed it is "wrought with failures".

Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, a member of the all party Committee on the issue, criticised the Government over the short time frame in which women can apply for redress

Deputy Seán Crowe said: "The survivors of symphysiotomy underwent a process that butchered their bodies as a result of the twisted theory that women could continue to have baby after baby, year after year, with the connivance of a medical profession and the acquiescence of the State.

"These women have fought and waited for years for a redress scheme to be established, the remaining survivors are elderly women, and yet they were only given 20 days in which to apply to the scheme.

"In comparison the survivors of the contaminated hepatitis C transfusions and the victims of abuse in residential institutions had three years in which to apply for compensation. Many women gave a sigh of relief when the scheme was announced. However, the short time period for making application is a huge concern, especially with the requirement to provide specialist medical reports. Only medical consultants will give these reports and state-appointed doctors will not. The scheme will not pay for independent medical reports so this is an attack on less well-off women.

"How will a woman with limited financial means access specialist medical reports in a few days without handing out vast sums of money?"

(CD)