IHRD-47
Response
Accepted
Self-assessed
Post-Mortem Reporting Standards
Recommendation
In providing post-mortem reports pathologists should be under a duty to: (i) Satisfy themselves, insofar as is practicable, as to the accuracy and completeness of the information briefed them. (ii) Work in liaison with the clinicians involved. (iii) Provide preliminary and final reports with expedition. (iv) Sign the post-mortem report. (v) Forward a copy of the post-mortem report to the family GP.
Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Department of Health Northern Ireland's Implementation Programme, this recommendation was completed as of January 2024. According to the government's response in March 2018, post-mortem reporting standards were updated to align with the inquiry's requirements (Department of Health NI, 2024; health-ni.gov.uk, 2018).
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 reporting standards updated in line with these requirements.
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