SURVIVORS of Ireland’s barbaric symphysiotomy childbirth procedure who have missed the deadline for the Government redress scheme may still be able to apply for compensation.
Although the general deadline for applications fell on December 5, women who underwent the procedure — where the mother’s pelvic bone is broken during labour to allow the baby to be born — who are deemed to be in exceptional circumstances can apply until January 14.
This week Irwin Mitchell solicitors, the national firm backing a campaign by two Irish charities to support survivors who may now be based in Britain, called on survivors to “act fast” on a payment scheme window that is “far too short”.
Cheryl Palmer-Hughes, an Irwin Mitchell solicitor working with symphysiotomy victims, said: “While it is too early to say how effective the scheme will be, we feel that the deadline for applying to this scheme is far too short. Through our work with leading Irish charities in Britain, we have sought to highlight the issue of symphysiotomy and raise awareness within the Irish community.”
The legal firm, which is working with the Irish in Britain and icap charities, believes the Irish Government has underestimated how many survivors could now be living in Britain and has called for them to scrap their deadlines.
“We are concerned that the official estimate in Ireland of 350 living survivors may be significantly exceeded,” Ms Palmer-Hughes explained.
“We believe this estimate may not account for many women still living in Britain, many of whom are now elderly and may not have related their significant health problems to a procedure they endured during child birth in Ireland many years ago.”
She added: “In light of the need to assist these women living in Britain, we challenge the Irish Government to abolish the time limits outright or at the very least, significantly extend the time for receipt of applications.”
This week Irish in Britain Chief Executive Jennie McShannon supported that challenge, adding: “We make an urgent call on Health Minister Leo Varadkar to postpone these closing dates so that there can be better efforts to ensure there is a consistent and concerted effort to raise awareness of the issue and how to access the scheme.”
