Doing our best

IT HAS emerged that several forensic pathology officers have “downed tools” at the Tygerberg, Salt River, Worcester, Wolsely and Hermanus forensic pathology laboratories (mortuaries) from Tuesday. This strike follows a wave of strike action in this sector nationally.

While we are committed to listening to staff concerns, the department does not condone the strike action.

Health service staff (including forensic pathology staff) are an essential service, and our delivery of service to the public must be prioritised at all times. All unnatural deaths require a medico-legal investigation, which includes a post-mortem examination. We apologise to the families of deceased and our stakeholders for the inconvenience of this unforeseen delay in the releasing of bodies. The strike action has led to 123 decedents at Salt River and Tygerberg awaiting post-mortem examination and our remaining forensic pathology staff members are working around the clock to reduce the backlog. Additional contingency plans to deal with the situation include:

Unidentified decedents where autopsies have already been performed and which remained unidentified 30 days after admission will be released to an appointed undertaker for pauper burial once the Victim Identification Board has given the authority to release. All scientific processes will be concluded to ensure that should the next of kin come forward, identification could be determined. This includes the utilisation of technology such as Lodox, taking of fingerprints and retention of DNA samples. The department wishes to recognise and thank all forensic pathology service personnel during this period for the critical and important service that they render. Their selfless dedication in assisting families led to 30 cases being completed at Salt River and Tygerberg under challenging circumstances over the last 24 hours. The department will continue dialogues with all members of staff, to ensure this critical area is strengthened to ensure good ongoing service to our communities. Note/background:

Forensic pathology officers, as set out in their job descriptions, are expected to perform certain functions during an autopsy. They act as assistants to the pathologist in preparing the body, positioning and presenting it for the pathologist, assisting with specified dissection procedures, removing organs and cleaning body cavities and returning tissues to the body. Mark van der Heever Deputy Director: Communications, Western Cape Government Health