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Funding boost to clear post-mortem report backlog Funding boost to clear post-mortem report backlog
(32 minutes later)
Toxicology services are to receive extra funding to help clear a backlog.Toxicology services are to receive extra funding to help clear a backlog.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it would be invested to help speed up overdue post-mortem reports.The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it would be invested to help speed up overdue post-mortem reports.
COPFS relies on Glasgow University to provide a "significant amount" of toxicology services for it. Since February, nearly 2,000 reports have been delayed as a result of a staff shortage at Glasgow University, which provides a "significant amount" of toxicology services for the Crown.
But a staff shortage at the university has resulted in delays to post-mortem reports, which is having an impact on "a large number of bereaved families". The £300,000 will allow the university to hire more staff and buy equipment.
It is hoped the additional £300,000 funding will help to speed up the process by allowing the university to recruit additional staff, buy new equipment, help clear the waiting cases and secure better provision of the service until next September, when the contract will be taken on by an alternative provider. The contract will be taken on by an alternative provider from September 2020.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe has previously said since February, 1859 post-mortem examination reports are recorded as having been held up as a direct result of delays in forensic toxicology analysis.
All sudden and unexplained deaths must be reported to the Crown. Inquiries are then made into the circumstances of the death.All sudden and unexplained deaths must be reported to the Crown. Inquiries are then made into the circumstances of the death.
'Significant funding'
If required, a post-mortem examination is arranged and pathologists use toxicology results to confirm the cause of death and complete post-mortem reports.If required, a post-mortem examination is arranged and pathologists use toxicology results to confirm the cause of death and complete post-mortem reports.
Toxicology tests for homicides, road traffic fatalities and child deaths are dealt with first.
'Significant funding'
The head of COPFS, Crown Agent David Harvie, said: "COPFS appreciate the impact that a delay in confirming the final cause of death can have on those who have lost a loved one.The head of COPFS, Crown Agent David Harvie, said: "COPFS appreciate the impact that a delay in confirming the final cause of death can have on those who have lost a loved one.
"We have been meeting with the university to discuss workloads and performance and this significant funding has been allocated to address those issues."We have been meeting with the university to discuss workloads and performance and this significant funding has been allocated to address those issues.
"In addition, COPFS is seeking to secure the future delivery of these services and preserve the valuable contribution toxicology staff make to the investigation of deaths.""In addition, COPFS is seeking to secure the future delivery of these services and preserve the valuable contribution toxicology staff make to the investigation of deaths."
A spokesman for Glasgow University said: "We were pleased to conclude an agreement with the Crown Office to provide toxicology services up to September 2020.A spokesman for Glasgow University said: "We were pleased to conclude an agreement with the Crown Office to provide toxicology services up to September 2020.
"The terms of the contract are confidential, but involve the Crown Office agreeing to pay the full cost of the services provided.""The terms of the contract are confidential, but involve the Crown Office agreeing to pay the full cost of the services provided."