Press Release, 8th February

Post Mortem Delays

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has demanded an investigation into waiting times for post mortem examinations.

He made the demand in parliament this week as he quizzed the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Alex Neil.

The local MSP has received representations from families who have expressed their concerns about the issue.

In some instances families have been forced to wait as long as two weeks before a post mortem was conducted.

Speaking in parliament Duncan McNeil said:

“The sudden death of a loved one can be a traumatic experience for any family, and in most cases it will result in a post mortem. In the west of Scotland, that procedure would likely be carried out at the Southern general hospital in Glasgow. The current wait for a post mortem there is 10 days, but in some local circumstances that can stretch to more than two weeks. Such a wait increases the trauma for the family, disrupts religious and cultural practice, and makes the bereavement process even more difficult. Will the minister instruct his officials to bring together Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board and the Scottish fatalities investigation unit to ensure that there is an investigation into that unacceptable situation for bereaved families?”