Crown office to manage post mortem in Aberdeen

The Crown Office has managed the post -mortem examinations in Aberdeen due to lack of qualified employees in the city.

Officials said that the “unprecedented” step “step” was necessary for the bereaved families to reduce the crisis “.

Since 2022, a full -time forensic pathologist located in Aberdeen has not been spent and was spent at more than £ 100,000 last year.

The NHS Grammpion said that it recognized the crisis to the families by any delay, but also said that it was fulfilling its legal and contractual obligations.

Health Board also said that A New integrated morgue buildingDue to opening at the end of this year, more employees will help recruit.

The average waiting time for the post mortem exam is currently around a week.

The NHS Grammpion stated that the lack of trained professionals was a UK-Vied issue, and that there are five training places in Scotland at any time.

A Crown Office and Procuretor Fiscal Service spokesperson said: “COPF has taken unprecedented but necessary steps, to ensure that these essential services have been temporarily given by managing post mortem services in Aberdeen.

“It is to ensure that there is no interval in the provision of these services and to reduce the crisis for bereaved families.”

The spokesman said that there was no case for the recruitment and training of pathologists.

The NHS Grammpion has challenged several months.

It declared in November Critical event And warned It was needed to reduce expenses,

The NHS Grammpian spokesperson said: “Our obligations, as have been placed in the Public Health etc. Act 2008, provides for facilities to meet the requirements of those who have died in the NHS Grampian campus. We are those responsibilities Are completing

“In addition, we currently have a contract to provide administrative assistance to the Crown Office and some laboratory services.”

The spokesperson highlighted the UK-wide shortage of the properly trained employees.

He said: “We recognize that any delay in analysis of deaths is extremely upset for families at a very difficult time.”

The Scottish government told the BBC Scotland News that “appropriate coverage” was being given by the locomot, while the Health Board worked to establish a forensic pathology service.