'Cruel and deeply distressing' - Derry MLA urges action on lack of infant post-mortem facilities

Independent MLA Claire Sugden has demanded the Minister of Health to urgently address the lack of infant post-mortem facilities in Northern Ireland. 

The East Derry MLA has said that the current system in place wherein parents are forced to send their deceased child's body to England for examination is "cruel and deeply distressing."

Commenting on the traumatic experiences families who have suffered the loss of an infant have endured, Sugden said: "Northern Ireland has no local facilities to carry out post-mortems on infants, meaning families suffering the most devastating loss must make the unbearable decision to have their child transported to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool."

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She continued: "This is a heartbreaking failure in our health system, no parent should have to face the unimaginable pain of losing a child, only to then be told that their baby must be sent across to England for a post-mortem. At a time of overwhelming grief, parents should be supported – not put through yet more trauma.

"The psychological toll of this process is immeasurable. Many parents describe it as one of the worst experiences of their lives. Others stated the process prolongs their grief and adds to their suffering. The current system is failing families when they are at their most vulnerable."

The MLA has submitted a number of questions to the Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt to urge him to consider establishing such services locally in Northern Ireland. Sugden concluded: "Families experiencing the most profound loss should not have to endure additional distress. We must support these families through the most devastating of circumstances."