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Children's bodies moved illegally Children's bodies moved illegally
(about 4 hours later)
Children's bodies are being illegally transported across the country for post mortem examinations because of a shortage of pathologists, say experts.Children's bodies are being illegally transported across the country for post mortem examinations because of a shortage of pathologists, say experts.
Members of the Royal College of Pathologists and the British Medical Association say officials are turning a blind eye to get the job done.Members of the Royal College of Pathologists and the British Medical Association say officials are turning a blind eye to get the job done.
Recommendations that only child experts do the work mean bodies are being sent miles away from families, they say.Recommendations that only child experts do the work mean bodies are being sent miles away from families, they say.
The Department of Health said it regretted the impact on parents.The Department of Health said it regretted the impact on parents.
Babies who require post-mortems will be going to other parts of the country which is inadequate and, from the point of view of the family, completely unsatisfactory Dr Chris Wright of the Royal College of PathologistsBabies who require post-mortems will be going to other parts of the country which is inadequate and, from the point of view of the family, completely unsatisfactory Dr Chris Wright of the Royal College of Pathologists
Anne Viney of Cruse Bereavement Care said it could add to the distress of families to have their loved one's body taken miles away for a post mortem.
"Some families want to view the body and for them, having the body taken miles away can be extremely difficult."
She stressed the importance of providing information and support to families at this difficult time.
"It is important that we do everything we can to keep families in the loop and to help them deal with the situation. If there is going to be a difficulty it is best to explain it straight away."
Experts said the pressing issue was the shortage of trained staff.Experts said the pressing issue was the shortage of trained staff.
In 2004, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said child specialists should deal with unexpected infant deaths.In 2004, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said child specialists should deal with unexpected infant deaths.
This followed the case of solicitor Sally Clark, who was cleared by the Court of Appeal of murdering her two children.This followed the case of solicitor Sally Clark, who was cleared by the Court of Appeal of murdering her two children.
The aim was to minimise the risk of wrongful convictions while protecting children and helping professionals learn more about the causes of sudden infant deaths.The aim was to minimise the risk of wrongful convictions while protecting children and helping professionals learn more about the causes of sudden infant deaths.
Recruitment crisisRecruitment crisis
But Dr Chris Wright, chairman of the prenatal, perinatal and paediatric pathology specialty advisory committee at the Royal College of Pathologists, told BMA News this had put increased pressure on an already stretched profession.But Dr Chris Wright, chairman of the prenatal, perinatal and paediatric pathology specialty advisory committee at the Royal College of Pathologists, told BMA News this had put increased pressure on an already stretched profession.
"There aren't enough people to do the job and there are particular problems in the South West."There aren't enough people to do the job and there are particular problems in the South West.
"Babies who require post-mortems will be going to other parts of the country which is inadequate and, from the point of view of the family, completely unsatisfactory.""Babies who require post-mortems will be going to other parts of the country which is inadequate and, from the point of view of the family, completely unsatisfactory."
Gloucestershire coroner and president of the South Western Coroners' Society Alan Crickmore confirmed the problem.Gloucestershire coroner and president of the South Western Coroners' Society Alan Crickmore confirmed the problem.
"I currently send [infants' bodies] to Birmingham for post mortems. In doing this I act unlawfully."I currently send [infants' bodies] to Birmingham for post mortems. In doing this I act unlawfully.
"The Ministry of Justice is fully aware of this problem, and we all turn a blind eye to it to get the job done for the benefit of the bereaved.""The Ministry of Justice is fully aware of this problem, and we all turn a blind eye to it to get the job done for the benefit of the bereaved."
Miles from familyMiles from family
Dr Wright said there were only about 40 paediatric pathologists, a number that is insufficient to cope with the workload.Dr Wright said there were only about 40 paediatric pathologists, a number that is insufficient to cope with the workload.
Anne Thorpe of the Coroners' Society of England and Wales said recruitment was a longstanding problem.Anne Thorpe of the Coroners' Society of England and Wales said recruitment was a longstanding problem.
"It was exacerbated after the incident at Alder Hey children's hospital, where post mortems were not properly completed and organs were stored for a long time."It was exacerbated after the incident at Alder Hey children's hospital, where post mortems were not properly completed and organs were stored for a long time.
"Pathologists were vilified in the press and the number of trainees who chose to specialise in paediatric pathology fell even further.""Pathologists were vilified in the press and the number of trainees who chose to specialise in paediatric pathology fell even further."
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the plan was to change the law so bodies could be moved further afield.A Department of Health spokeswoman said the plan was to change the law so bodies could be moved further afield.
"We recognise and regret the impact the shortage of paediatric pathologists can have on parents and families who need to understand the reasons for the death of a child," she said."We recognise and regret the impact the shortage of paediatric pathologists can have on parents and families who need to understand the reasons for the death of a child," she said.
"However, all post mortems are done to a high standard by an appropriately trained specialist."However, all post mortems are done to a high standard by an appropriately trained specialist.
"We are working with the Royal College of Pathologists to help increase recruitment into the subspecialty of paediatric pathology."We are working with the Royal College of Pathologists to help increase recruitment into the subspecialty of paediatric pathology.
"In the Coroners Bill, which will be brought before Parliament as soon as time allows, the practice will be given statutory authority.""In the Coroners Bill, which will be brought before Parliament as soon as time allows, the practice will be given statutory authority."