A motion was passed at the most recent Fermanagh and Omagh District Council meeting which called for an “All-Ireland solution” following the announcement that Post Mortems of infants would take place in England following the leave of the only Paediatric Pathologist in Northern Ireland.

It was announced earlier this year by the Health and Social Care Board that from early 2019 Post Mortems of infants from Northern Ireland would take place at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.

The motion, which was proposed by Sinn Féin Councillor Marty McColgan urges the Permanent Secretary of Health to engage urgently with the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland to find an All-Ireland solution to this sensitive issue, to help reduce the already enormous burden on parents suffering from bereavement.

Councillor McColgan said: “A Post Mortem should allow a family to get the answers they need from professionals as sensitively and swiftly as possible and using services in England would prolong this process.”

Fellow Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Clarke seconded the motion, adding that this can be a “very traumatic experience” and that they “need to think about the families.”

DUP Councillor Raymond Farrell commented that it was a “sensitive issue that demands common sense rather than a political approach.”

He added that he “opposes” the use of Alder Hey Hospital as he “can’t comprehend remains being transferred to England.”

However, he questioned if “adequate scoping” has been done and if the Republic of Ireland can even provide the service that they are requesting. He stated that his party would be “abstaining at this point in time.”

SDLP Councillor Paul Blake said that he had “no problem supporting the motion and that he understands that this can be a “time of great distress for families.”

UUP Councillor Alex Baird said that he would be concerned that by providing a cross-border service, “it becomes the norm.”

The motion was supported by Councillor Josephine Deehan who found it “surprising that this option has not already been explored” but that it should be an “interim measure only.”

She also revealed to the meeting that the Northern Ireland Department of Justice already carries out Post Mortems on infants. She suggested that they seek clarification from the Department of Justice if their facilities could be used as a local “interim measure.” She proposed this as an amendment which was agreed and added to the motion by Councillor McColgan.

The motion was passed following a vote where 19 Council members were in favour whilst 13 abstained. There were no votes against the motion.