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Talks to follow baby autopsy case
17.12.09
DONEGAL'S lack of a
paediatric pathology service is to be discussed with
a HSE group responsible for developing a code of
practice for post mortem services.
The matter will be raised with the group by Minister
of State at the Department of Health, Aine Brady,
following requests made to her by Senator Cecilia
Keaveney.
The move follows the recent revelation that young
Buncrana couple, Chris McFadden and his fiancee Toni
Stemp, had to endure a five-hour minibus journey to
a Dublin hospital for an autopsy on their deceased
baby son, Shae.
Senator Keaveney yesterday said the lack of a
designated paediatric pathologist above the
geographical Galway to Dublin line, added to the
trauma for grieving parents in the North West.
"Paediatric pathology is specialised and cannot be
expected to be carried out everywhere. However,
parents who suffer the loss of an infant should not
expect to take a five-hour minibus journey amid
their trauma to acquire an autopsy," said Senator
Keaveney. |
"While it is the role
of the coroner to source pathologists where they are
deemed necessary, Coroner John Madden has called for
a protocol to be put in place designating someone to
do infant post mortems for Donegal."
She said it was time Dr Madden's call was
incorporated into any response that is to be made to
the recent |
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Faculty of Pathology
Report on Paediatric Pathology.
"There has been a rise nationally in infant deaths
and, given that some Dublin hospitals are reportedly
now refusing to provide the service for Donegal, it
is time a solution is found to this inhumane
treatment of distraught parents.
"Minister Aine Brady, T.D. has undertaken to pass on
my views and those of our local coroner to those
within the Health Service Executive charged with
developing a code of practice for post mortem
services. I do trust that this professional input
will yield results so that no other family will have
the added trauma currently being imposed, but a much
more caring and sensitive approach to their needs."
Senator Keaveney said she would continue to monitor
progress on the matter. |
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