Judge attacks ‘misinformation’ over symphysiotomy scheme shredding

The head of the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme has criticised “misinformation” surrounding plans to shred documents submitted by symphysiotomy survivors.

Judge Maureen Harding Clark told The Irish Times that the scheme only offered to shred documents where directed by applicants.

She also said the scheme did not possess any original medical records and other original documents were being returned.

However, the Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) group maintains the offer breaches the terms of reference for the scheme.

SOS chairwoman Marie O’Connor told The Irish Times: “The letters the assessor sent out were, and remain, deeply problematic. The scheme is in breach of the terms of reference laid down by the Minister for Health to make all reasonable efforts to return records, not manufacture women’s consent to destroy them.”

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