Neary victims expected to get €30m redress

MORE than 120 women who had their wombs unnecessarily removed by Drogheda gynaecologist Dr Michael Neary are expected to get up to €30 million in compensation under a redress scheme.

Former patients of the struck-off obstetrician will be awarded compensation under a hardship points system, similar to the scheme for victims of institutional abuse.

Compensation will cover events such as the loss of an ovary to Caesarean hysterectomies and psychological pain, and will vary according to the seriousness.

Hearings and applications are expected to take 12 months and will be heard by Judge Maureen Harding Clarke, who completed the Lourdes Hospital Inquiry which was released last February.

The report revealed that 188 women had their wombs removed over a 25-year period and that 129 such procedures were performed by Dr Neary.

Sile O’Connor from the support group, Patient Focus, said it was only a matter of weeks before the scheme begins.

“The judge has told us she will be advertising soon for the women to come forward. We are expecting it to be announced very soon.”

The compensation scheme will be based on a 17-point rating scale, benchmarked on court cases.

One case thought to be central to guidelines for the scheme was heard in the High Court in 2003, where €270,000 was awarded in damages to a Co Louth woman, Alison Gough, whose womb Dr Neary removed after she gave birth to her only child in 1992.

“The levels of compensation depends on the degree of damage done, the age of women, the number of children they had at the time and whether or not both ovaries were removed.

“Women will basically be able to know beforehand how much money they will receive,” added Ms O’Connor.

Patient Focus however is still finalising with Judge Harding Clarke the criteria needed for women to be eligible for the redress scheme.

According to the group’s solicitor Colm MacGeehin, payments will be included for the 42 patients whose files went missing from Drogheda.

Up to 150 cases will be included in total in the scheme, including at least 80 which are expected to be withdrawn from the courts.

“We imagine the full amounts in payments will be between €25m and €30m,” added MacGeehin.

A Department of Health spokeswoman yesterday said officials were awaiting a report from Judge Harding Clarke on the redress scheme. “It should be in shortly,” said a spokeswoman.

According to the department, the judge will report on the scheme including how to “ensure the maximum amount” in contributions comes from medical insurers for the compensation.