Council calls to reduce delay in post mortem results

EAST CORK councillors are championing a nationwide campaign to get the Government to reduce the delay in releasing post mortem-examination results to two months.

Now, it can be five, six, or even more months before families get results, and this in the view of Midleton Town Council members is unacceptable.

They want the Government to take whatever steps are needed to reduce that delay, and are urging all other councils throughout the country to vigorously support their campaign.

The councillor behind the move is Betty Wall, one of the Independents on Midleton Town Council who said the delay in providing results is making things so much more difficult for grieving families.

Ms Wall said that three years ago when the delay was three months a review group said it was a matter that should be urgently addressed. Now however they delay has extended to five, and six months and beyond in many cases.

“There is a chronic under resourcing of the coroner’s service,” said Ms Wall, “and despite the promise of two years ago it is now an even worse shambles.”

Ms Wall said the reality of the situation is that there have been cutbacks and this has inevitably made a bad service into worse.

“The people waiting for post mortem examination results are not just figures, they are husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and parents,” said Ms Wall, “and there are many tragic human stories behind these delays.”

Now Midleton Town Council is demanding that results be delivered within a maximum period of two months and Ms Wall is confident many other local authorities around the country will join the campaign for a better service.