Unknown files on ‘barbaric’ symphysiotomy op found

Thousands of previously unknown hospital files relating to patients who underwent “barbaric” symphysiotomies have been uncovered in private “off-site” locations across the country.

The situation was revealed yesterday by Survivors of Symphysiotomy, Amnesty International, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which claimed the find is evidence of a “systemic cover-up” by Government and an attempt to lessen the impact of the Coalition’s redress scheme.

However, the Department of Health has insisted there is “no substance” to the suggestion “records were knowingly withheld”.