IHRD-44
Response
Accepted
Self-assessed
Post-Mortem Limitation Authorisation
Recommendation
Authorisation for any limitation of a post-mortem examination should be signed by two doctors acting with the written and informed consent of the family.
Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Department of Health NI (2018-03-01), post-mortem authorisation procedures have been updated to require dual sign-off by two doctors with the written and informed consent of the family. According to Department of Health NI Implementation Programme updates, this recommendation was completed as of January 2024 (Department of Health NI, 2024-01-31). No further published evidence has been identified since January 2024.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.health-ni.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Response
Accepted
Response
Accepted
Accepted
HSC Trusts
01 Mar 2018
Post-mortem authorisation procedures updated to require dual sign-off with family consent.
Source
Inquiry
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Report
Report of the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths
31 Jan 2018
Responsible Bodies
HSC Trusts
Primary
Themes & Tags
Recommendation age
8.1 yrs
Last formal update
783 days ago