Government and HSE working to reach 'urgent solution' to ensure autopsies can continue in Waterford

Consultant pathologists at University Hospital Waterford will withdraw from conducting coroner-requested autopsies at the morgue in the hospital from January 1

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan told Tipperary Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy that 'a collaborative approach between my department, the Department of Health, the HSE, UHW and its pathologists is clearly required'.

Two Government departments and the HSE are working to find a solution to ensure coroner-directed autopsies can continue to take place in Waterford, which is facing the possibility of long funeral delays next year.

Coroner-requested autopsies include deaths which may be suspicious, accidental, or unexpected, as well as maternal deaths.