She said: “Efforts to recruit a replacement paediatric pathologist for North of Ireland have not yet been successful, with infant post-mortems now moving to England as a result. It is important that at a difficult emotional time such as this following the death of an infant that relatives are close at hand to support the grieving parents.”In summing up for the motion, Cllr Clarke said: “Recruitment drives, both nationally and internationally, have repeatedly been carried out to try to fill the vacant position for a paediatric pathologist, without success.
“The motion seeks an All-Ireland cross-border paediatric pathology service which is a more acceptable alternative for people affected in the North rather than having to travel to England in very difficult circumstances.
“The implications for families currently means the remains of any babies or children requiring a hospital post-mortem will have to be transported to England. The Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency have already acknowledged that the arrangement is far from ideal and that it could compound the distress for grieving families. The proposal that families will need to send their child’s remains away for a week will mean more stress and suffering for families, at a time when their world has been devastated.
“The service affected includes hospital post-mortems on stillborn babies, late miscarriages, babies who only survive a short time after birth and, more rarely, post-mortem examinations of older babies and children.
“The service aims to provide answers to families as to why a baby or child may have died, some of which may have implications for future family planning.
“And the motion has requested that this council supports future paediatric pathology services are based on the island of Ireland to reduce the distress for grieving families.”
The motion received the full support of the chamber and a number of councillors also made their contribution to this emotive discussion.
Cllr John Trainor (SDLP) explained that he had lost a sister to congenital heart disease when she was young and that it had a very significant impact of his family. To have a loved one’s remains put into a cargo hold is a very difficult emotion to cope with.”
And Cllr Garth Craig (DUP) added: “Our party fully support the motion and supports the sentiments. I think every effort to find a paediatric pathologist working in the North or South needs to be made. Having a deceased infant or child’s remains away for a week must be very distressing. We certainly should not lose sight of trying to find a paediatric pathologist for Northern Ireland yet.”
Cllr Jarleth Tinnelly (Independent) said: The Permanent Secretary for Health should not stonewall this and use the absence of Stormont as an excuse for no action. There is nothing so devastating for a family. We are a caring people.”
Cllr Roisin Howell (Sinn Féin) said: “I welcome this motion. I personally experienced a loss eight years ago. We have to look for a solution to this problem on an all island basis. This matter needs to be looked at very quickly.”
Cllr Henry Reilly (Independent Unionist) said: “The Council should approach the British and Irish Pathology Association and as far as I can understand they are prepared to travel. For parents of a deceased child to travel to Liverpool just does not make sense.”
