Post-mortem examinations can assist medical research

The fall has been blamed on a loss of public trust in the wake of recent organ retention scandals, but experts warned it could harm medical research.

Hospitals across the UK admitted that they had retained organs for study, often without relatives knowing.

Tough new rules mean doctors must seek more informed consent from relatives before they carry out the examinations.

Medical researchers warned that fewer taking place would have a drastic effect on their work, slowing progress towards cures for dementia and other conditions.

We've learnt the lessons of the past Andy Kerr MSP Health Minister

The fall in the number of post-mortem examinations was detailed in a report carried out by Quality Improvement Scotland.

Chief executive Dr David Steel said: "It was always feared that the collapse in confidence would lead to medical research being hampered and we have to conclude that we now face that situation.

"We are asking that a public education campaign be launched to explain the importance of post-mortems to the public and hope that this report can give people the confidence to reverse that trend."

Despite those concerns, the report found that post-mortem services were conducted with "respect and dignity" in Scotland.

It said: "The process of consent, an area that was heavily criticised in the past, is now of a generally high standard.

Urgent action plea

"In cases of stillbirth or the death of a newborn, the wishes of parents are now foremost in determining how tissue is held and in ensuring it is treated with dignity and respect throughout the process."

But the study warned: "Awareness that relatives lacked confidence in the system has also resulted in fewer staff requests for authorisation.

"The report identifies an urgent need to increase the number of post-mortem examinations both to provide useful information for parents and relatives on causes of death, and to support improvements in clinical care and further medical research."

Health Minister Andy Kerr, referring to the earlier scandal, said: "We know that for many of the families distressed by the revelations of organ retention, getting the law changed is the clearest signal we can send that we've learnt the lessons of the past."