Vol. 512 No. 7
161 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the removal of organs from children during post-mortem examinations, without parental consent, has been or is conducted at hospitals other than at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin 12 [27283/99]
The Deputy will be aware that post-mortem examinations are carried out to establish the cause of death. This usually involves the retention of tissue. In certain cases the post-mortem examination is incomplete without the retention and subsequent evaluation of an entire organ.
I am informed that it has traditionally been accepted practice in pathology that consent of next of kin to a post-mortem examination is required and obtained. However, it has not been standard practice to provide relatives with specific details of the retention of tissues and organs for further diagnostic or other purposes.
The professional body responsible for standards and practices in pathology in Ireland, the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, has been reviewing current consent arrangements for post-mortem examination and, in particular, the retention of tissue-organs for further diagnosis, teaching and research. The faculty has recommended to its fellows that specific consent for retention of tissue for such purposes be sought for all post-mortem examinations. The faculty considers that it is essential to be explicit in relation to this issue and accordingly is at present finalising a set of guidelines which will be issued to all members of the faculty as soon as possible.
The chief medical officer of my Department has written to the chief executive officer of each health agency asking them to ensure, pending the issue by the Faculty of Pathology of its guidelines on this matter, that a policy of informed consent by next of kin to the carrying out of a post-mortem and retention of tissue-organs, operates in each health agency.
