Dead in the water

Retired now since 1991, I realize that were I in practice now, I would have to familiarize myself with the Human Tissues Act. Not only is the habit of consented autopsy under threat, but also the custom of continuity of care. I always believed that my duty to the patient and his or her family started from the original consultation and continued until discharge or death.

I always took consent for postmortem examination in person, as part of my role and as a mark of respect for the family. I never (or hardly ever) delegated this responsibility and as a result, refusal was very exceptional. Furthermore, I always offered to see the family after the postmortem to explain or allay any further doubts they may have had.

The postmortem was usually conducted by myself and the pathologist together. This was helpful, particularly if complicated surgery had been involved, and was also of great educational benefit to both of us and the junior staff.

It was helpful that I and the pathologist worked on the same hospital site.

We had no need of a permanent cohort of bereavement teams and officers or a ‘Core Consent Coordinator’. My ward sister fulfilled all these roles.