Douglas Lumsden

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost implications are of flying in locum pathologists from London to Aberdeen for post-mortem examinations.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Locum pathologists are engaged on a fixed fee basis per post mortem examination, regardless of where the pathologist requires to travel from. There is therefore no additional cost to the Crown if a locum pathologist requires to fly from elsewhere in the Unite…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current average time is for a post-mortem examination to be scheduled in Aberdeen after a death is reported.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: The average time for a post mortem examination to take place in Aberdeen is seven days (or five working days) after the post mortem is instructed. Most post mortems are instructed on the same day that the death is reported to COPFS.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current ratio is of forensic pathologists to cases in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There are currently no forensic pathologists based in Aberdeen.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to address the reported shortage of forensic pathologists in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: In October 2022, both Forensic Pathologists working in Aberdeen transferred to other positions in Scotland where they continue to conduct Crown-instructed examinations. COPFS took over management of the pathology services in Aberdeen as Aberdeen University we…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether families of deceased individuals from Aberdeen are routinely notified that post-mortem examinations are carried out in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Bereaved relatives are routinely advised of the location of the post mortem examination and the reasons for the transfer.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of any delays in post-mortem examinations has been on legal proceedings in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There are no delays in post mortem examinations affecting legal proceedings in Scotland.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current capacity is for conducting routine post-mortem examinations in Aberdeen, and how this compares with the demand.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There is adequate capacity for conducting routine post mortem examinations in Aberdeen. Locum pathologists are instructed each week to ensure that post mortems are conducted within the target turnaround time of five working days from the later of the Crown in…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current average waiting time is for toxicology results in Aberdeen, and how this compares with other regions in Scotland.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: NHS Grampian provides the postmortem toxicology service for Aberdeen, Grampian and the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) provides the service for the rest of Scotland. SPA also currently processes priority cases for the whole of Scotl…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for determining whether a death is classified as suspicious or non-suspicious in Aberdeen, and whether this differs from other regions in Scotland.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: A death may be considered suspicious if the facts and circumstances suggest it may have been caused as a result of criminality.When a death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal, it may not be possible to determine from the facts and circumstances known at tha…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the current forensic pathology service levels has been on the investigation of drug-related deaths in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Current forensic pathology service levels in Aberdeen have made no significant impact to the investigation of drug related deaths in Aberdeen.The majority of post mortem examinations in relation to deaths suspected to be due to the consumption of drugs can be…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for auditing the quality of post-mortem examinations conducted in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: All doctors are expected to work within the standards set out by the General Medical Council for good medical practice.The Royal College of Pathologists and NHS Education for Scotland oversee training standards in pathology and their uniformity across Scotlan…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is provided to the families of deceased individuals in Aberdeen during the post-mortem examination process.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: The Family Liaison Charter sets out the Crown’s obligations in relation to liaising with and providing information to bereaved relatives. These obligations apply equally to deaths arising in any area of Scotland.If a post mortem examination in relation …

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current average time is for families to receive death certificates in Aberdeen following a post-mortem examination.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: In all areas of Scotland, death certificates are routinely issued on the day of the post mortem examination to allow bereaved families to make the necessary funeral arrangements. On rare occasions, a death certificate cannot be issued on the day of the post m…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many forensic pathologists have left their positions in Aberdeen in the last five years, and what the reasons were for any departures.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Three forensic pathologists have left positions in Aberdeen in the last five years. One pathologist took up a post with the Home Office in England. Two pathologists transferred to other positions in Scotland where they continue to conduct Crown-instructed exa…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is per post-mortem examination conducted by locum pathologists in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: The current cost of an NHS locum pathologist conducting a post mortem examination in Aberdeen is £600 per examination.In relation to other incurred costs – which include histopathology, toxicology, administrative costs and mortuary costs - in the …

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many forensic pathologists are currently in training in Scotland, and how many it anticipates will be deployed to Aberdeen upon completion of their training.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS is not responsible for training or recruiting Crown-instructed pathologists.However, there are currently four forensic pathologist training posts in Scotland and three of those are filled – one in Glasgow and two in Edinburgh. There is currently n…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of medical mishap have been investigated by forensic pathologists in Aberdeen in the last year.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS’ case management database does not recognise the category of death of ‘medical mishap’. However, in the majority of medical deaths where there are concerns about the circumstances there would be no requirement for the post mortem exami…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure the (a) quality and (b) accuracy of post-mortem examinations conducted by locum pathologists in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: All doctors are expected to work within the standards set out by the General Medical Council for good medical practice.The Royal College of Pathologists and NHS Education for Scotland oversee training standards in pathology and their uniformity across Scotlan…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to expand the current capacity for conducting post-mortem examinations in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Capacity within Aberdeen mortuary is not an issue and there are no current plans to increase the capacity for conducting post mortem examinations in Aberdeen.A new mortuary facility in Aberdeen that will co-locate the Aberdeen City Mortuary and Aberdeen Royal…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been on the workload of forensic pathologists in Edinburgh of any cases being referred from Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: NHS Lothian provide pathology services for the East of Scotland. There are six full-time forensic pathologists performing both forensic and routine postmortems in Edinburgh.In 2023-2024, NHS Lothian began providing support for the Aberdeen, Grampian and Highl…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the long-term strategy is for ensuring sustainable forensic pathology services in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: NHS Grampian has provided COPFS with a commitment to implement a forensic pathology service in Aberdeen, including the recruitment of full-time forensic pathologists, and COPFS is supporting that process.It is however a matter for NHS Grampian to recruit fore…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to address the reported issue of “unascertained” causes of death on death certificates in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There are no issues with unascertained causes of deaths on death certificates in Aberdeen.The certification of a person’s death is a matter that falls solely within the clinical responsibility of medical practitioners, who require to be satisfied to the…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to improve the (a) training and (b) retention of forensic pathologists.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS is the client and receiver of pathology services in Scotland and is not responsible for the training of pathologists.The forensic histopathology training programme is delivered by the NHS, following Royal College of Pathologists curriculum and in conjun…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for referring cases from Aberdeen to Edinburgh for post-mortem examinations.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: Any case that requires the post mortem examination to be conducted by two Forensic Pathologists is currently referred from Aberdeen to Edinburgh by COPFS. The majority of these are potential homicide cases.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure the (a) timely and (b) accurate completion of post-mortem examinations in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS work closely with the mortuary team and locum pathologists to ensure that post mortem examinations taking place in Aberdeen are completed within the target turnaround time in the majority of cases. Regular performance updates are provided to COPFS and s…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of industrial incidents requiring post-mortem examinations there have been in Aberdeen in the last year.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS’ case management database does not recognise the category of death of ‘industrial accident’. In order to identify deaths which may fall into this category, each of the 576 Crown-instructed post mortem examinations which were performed …

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated to improve pathology services in Aberdeen in the next five years.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: The cost of forensic pathology is met from within the COPFS annual budget allocation from the Scottish Government which does not extend to five years.NHS Grampian and other key stakeholders are working on establishing a forensic pathology service based in Abe…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the (a) availability and (b) scheduling of post-mortem examinations in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS recorded an increase of more than 40% in the number of deaths reported compared to pre-pandemic figures.However, I am not aware of any significant impact on the availability or scheduling of post mortem examinations in Aberdeen.

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many post-mortem examinations have been conducted in Aberdeen in the last year.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There were 576 Crown-instructed post mortem examinations performed at the Aberdeen City Mortuary in Aberdeen during 2023-24:View & Grant Examination1 Doctor Post Mortem2 Doctor Post MortemTotal5748930576

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current staffing levels are for support staff assisting forensic pathologists in Aberdeen.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There are no forensic pathologists currently based in Aberdeen.Two members of administration staff support the pathology service in Aberdeen.