UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Bereaved parents face long NHS postmortem delays as a shortage of paediatric pathologists leaves 37% of consultant posts vacant across the UK.
As reported by The Guardian, bereaved parents face over a year of “harrowing” waits for postmortems due to a severe shortage of NHS specialist doctors.
What did the Royal College of Pathologists say about the NHS specialist shortage?
A new report by the Royal College of Pathologists shows a shortage of paediatric and perinatal pathologists. It warns the situation is “dire,” with services in parts of the UK “totally collapsed,” leaving families to suffer the distress.
The college reports that the shortage of specialist doctors is forcing some regions to send children’s bodies for postmortem examinations elsewhere, including from Northern Ireland to Alder Hey.
Dr Clair Evans, chair of the Royal College of Pathologists’ advisory committee for under-18 care specialists, said,
“Our service is in crisis. This is having a significant and distressing effect on families who regularly report long and harrowing waits for postmortem results.”
The report says,
“Bereaved families are facing a major increase in waiting time – or transfer out of their region – for postmortem examination of their babies and children.”
It adds, postmortems
“can help parents in the process of closure and give information that aids treatment in subsequent pregnancies.”
The BBC reported in July that Katie Louise Llewellyn and Aled Wyn Jones have waited 14 months to learn why their three-year-old son died unexpectedly while on holiday. Only two paediatric and perinatal consultant pathologists serve Wales.
The college’s report revealed that:
- More than a third (37%) of consultant roles in the UK are currently vacant.
- The country has just 52 paediatric and perinatal consultants, with 13 expected to retire in the next five years.
- Merely 3% of consultants believe current staffing is sufficient to maintain services.
- There are just 13 doctors in training aiming to become consultants in this specialty.
According to the college’s workforce report, Northern Ireland and parts of England, including the south-west and Midlands, have no specialist pathologists, leaving families facing long waits for answers.
What did Dr Clea Harmer say about NHS delays affecting bereaved parents?
Dr Clea Harmer, the chief executive of the baby loss charity Sands, said the findings
“add to the growing evidence that workforce shortages are causing unacceptable and heartbreaking delays for bereaved parents in getting postmortem results.”
She stated,
“At Sands, we hear regularly about the devastating impact of the lengthy delays on parents, who are left in limbo, waiting for answers and for vital information they need to plan their futures.”
Ms Harmer urges ministers and NHS leaders to act to shorten delays for parents after a baby’s death.
Pathologists in paediatric and perinatal care help diagnose and manage illnesses in children, with some findings prompting tests for other family members.
How is the NHS addressing delays for bereaved parents?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated,
“Bereaved parents have experienced the unthinkable and any avoidable distress to families in this heartbreaking position is unacceptable.”
They added,
“There are a record number of doctors across almost every speciality in the NHS, including pathology, and our 10-year health plan commits to the creation of 1,000 new speciality training posts, with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need.”
How many doctors work in the NHS?
Approximately 188,000 doctors are working across NHS hospitals, community, and general practice settings in England.
In secondary care, the number of doctors grew by 41% between September 2015 and July 2025. However, this growth has not kept pace with rising demand, and there are still significant challenges, including over 10,000 medical vacancies in the NHS in England.