Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health when the human tissue Bill will be published. [29042/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health if he has confidence that consent is sought from relatives prior to any tissue and-or organs being removed during post mortems; if there has been a recent audit on post mortem practices in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29043/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

A recommendation in Dr. Madden's report, published in December, 2005 was that "An independent audit must be carried out of currently retained organs in all hospitals in the State". In 2007, the Health Service Executive commissioned and independent audit in accordance with this recommendation. The terms of reference of the audit were:

1. To conduct an independent audit of currently retained organs in all hospitals in the State both pre and post 2000.

2. To assist the Health Service Executive to determine priority areas for action and inform the development of standards by identifying areas of good practice and highlighting areas for improvement.

The audit process involved validation visits to 36 hospitals and the report, published in July 2009 (The Willis Report), noted that consent was sought with regard to a hospital post mortem examination by doctors in all hospitals, supported by a multidisciplinary team in some cases. It is important to note that consent from the family of the deceased is not required if a post mortem examination is ordered by the Coroner. The report also provided a summary of policy and practice across all areas of post mortem examination practice, with examples of good practice and areas for priority focus.

The findings and recommendations of these key reports on post mortem practice and procedures have assisted the Health Service Executive and the National Post Mortem Examination Services Advisory Group in the development of the HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services, which have been submitted through the HSE's Quality and Patient Safety Directorate and are awaiting ratification.