Sir, – Patient Focus along with SOS Ltd welcomes the highlighting of the symphysiotomy victims’ suffering (Marie O’Connor, Opinion, September 17th). Over the years we have supported, advocated for and represented 180 of the women and their families in their struggle for justice.
A significant number of our clients are in their 70s and 80s. Indeed, frequently when we write to them we are then contacted by a family member to say they have sadly passed away. The interminable delays have deprived them of the comfort of acknowledgment that justice would have provided.
Many, too, are terrified of the legal proceedings on which they are now necessarily embarking. That is why they have asked us to call for a parallel route: ie speedy redress, which would offer justice, choice and closure. This would be much less painful than the usual protracted and individually riskier approach of medical negligence proceedings.
We, of course, fully support the women who wish to continue down the legal route as most appropriate for them. – Yours, etc,