The Irish Times confirmed yesterday that Symphysiotomy records are indeed to be shredded - but ‘with consent’. Shredding records of human rights over other the options to return/retain records evident in the Scheme's terms are still being more favourably promoted. Why is this? The Data Protection Act can be interpreted as underlining the right of the women who gave birth to own their own records - copies and/or originals (there is no difference). 70% of survivors who replied to the Scheme's circular/contact made with them indicated they wanted their records returned, 30% opted for shredding, it was reported. However, it is also stated only 360 of a total of 568 applicants replied by the March 20th deadline. SoS however reiterates this figure of total applicants provided by Department of Health is however wrong - it is apparent that up to 750 women actually applied to the Scheme. This discrepancy in interpretation is very worrying. There seems to be a continuing level of confusion and changing positions in official statements released from the Department of Health on behalf of the Scheme. Greater clarity and an official statement/position from the top level of Government is urgently required with the correct facts. What will now happen to the records of those who did not reply? Will they be shredded too but 'without consent'? Questions are also being widely raised in the public domain about the appropriateness of canvassing survivors to respond to such a form mid an in process payment scheme. There is huge support among experts, several TDs, the wider public for returning all records to the women involved as private citizens/full citizens. This resounding level of support can be followed on Twitter at @SoS_Ireland Lets hope the Government is listening. None of these records should never be destroyed and in terms of privacy they are the private medical records of the women who gave birth in deeply traumatic circumstances.