Bodily Harm Report Released - Symphysiotomy and pubiotomy in Ireland 1944-1992

Symphysiotomy and pubiotomy carry more risk than Caesarean section: this brutal surgery unhinged the pelvis and often led to long-term walking difficulties, bladder problems and chronic pain. One baby in ten died. Ireland was the only country in the Western world to practise these 18th century operations in the mid to late 20th century.

The Bodily Harm Report examines in detail how the authorities in Ireland have deal twith demands for truth, justice, health and disability services since the surgery was first exposed in the media by Dr Jacqueline Morrissey in 1999. The report sets out the history of symphysiotomy and pubiotomy, describes howthese operationswere revived in an era when women in Ireland had few rights, and scrutinises the various claims that have been made for the surgery. In the closing chapters, I look at these operations from a legal perspective, show how the surgery was driven by medical ambition as well as religious beliefs and present survivors’ case for truth and justice.

The full report can be viewed here: http://goo.gl/2YUP3