Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, on which I will update the House on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I extend my sympathies to the families who have experienced a waiting period for the carrying out of a post mortem. I understand the concerns raised about the delay in post mortem services in Kerry. I appreciate that the current situation may be adding to family stress during an already difficult time.

The Office of the State Pathologist, OSP, is an important independent body under the auspices of the Department of Justice. The OSP provides the State with a national forensic pathology service whereby a forensic pathologist is on duty, 24 hours a day, each day of the year. The pathologist's primary remit is to perform post mortem examinations in suspicious deaths, as directed by the coroner. There are four forensic pathologists based in Dublin, with additional support provided by a forensic pathologist in Cork on a rota basis. Post mortem examinations in non-suspicious deaths under the remit of the coroner are directed to be performed by hospital-based histopathology consultants. Post mortem examination is an important part of clinical care and one of the most informative investigations in medicine. It can provide objective information on the cause of death, which is of value to the family of the deceased and also to healthcare professionals.

The HSE has advised that the pathology service in University Hospital Kerry is supported as required on a regional basis by consultants based in Cork University Hospital. The role of hospital-based histopathology consultants cannot be understated. Their work in conducting post mortem examinations in non-suspicious deaths provides closure to families and valuable insights to healthcare professionals. It is a critical part of our healthcare system. We are committed to supporting the consultants in their work.

The regional support provided by consultants based in Cork University Hospital to the pathology service in University Hospital Kerry is an example of our integrated approach to healthcare. We believe in the power of collaboration and shared expertise and we are continually looking for ways to improve our services through such partnerships. I hope family members can find some comfort in the knowledge that information gained from post-mortem examinations contributes significantly to our understanding of diseases. This, in turn, advances medical knowledge and aids in the fight against disease, ultimately benefiting others through improved treatment methods. We are committed to ensuring the vital service is accessible in an efficient way.

If there was a delay, then I extend my sympathies to the families. It obviously should not be occurring. I will take on board the concerns the Deputy has raised.

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