Mr BELL - 1996-10-10
The Territory has just one, overworked forensic pathologist. On 14 October 1986, the then Attorney-General, the member for Sanderson, wrote to the Minister for Health expressing his concern about the delays with forensic pathology and suggesting that an additional forensic pathologist was required. This letter was backed by a memo of support from the chief executive officer of Royal Darwin Hospital in December 1986. Ten years later, has this additional person been put in place? Further, is the minister aware that, as a result of the delays and problems, 25% of bodies that are required to undergo forensic pathology are decomposing on their presentation to the Forensic Pathology Unit? I seek leave to table these letters.
Leave granted.
Mr BELL: Ten years later, the additional person has not been put in place. Is 10 years too long?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is correct that we have one, overworked forensic pathologist in Darwin who is currently on stress leave. That is a sad situation. It is not necessarily a Territory Health Services issue that he is on stress leave. However, it is a fact that he is overworked. Most of that work comes from a demand for forensic pathology services by police. They have an increasing need for forensic evidence to prove cases nowadays. Therefore, his services are called on more often, as they are also by legal practitioners preparing and presenting their cases. The forensic pathologist is involved also with the various forms of trauma associated with deaths in the Northern Territory. It is a heavy workload.
I have just become aware of the fact that the situation is such that he is taking a rest at the moment. I certainly intend to look at the costs involved in giving him a better work environment. I think there is a need for the police, the Attorney-General's Department and Territory Health Services to look jointly at his workload. I will be developing a paper that I will take to Cabinet to seek more funds for these services.
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Leave granted.
Mr BELL: Ten years later, the additional person has not been put in place. Is 10 years too long?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is correct that we have one, overworked forensic pathologist in Darwin who is currently on stress leave. That is a sad situation. It is not necessarily a Territory Health Services issue that he is on stress leave. However, it is a fact that he is overworked. Most of that work comes from a demand for forensic pathology services by police. They have an increasing need for forensic evidence to prove cases nowadays. Therefore, his services are called on more often, as they are also by legal practitioners preparing and presenting their cases. The forensic pathologist is involved also with the various forms of trauma associated with deaths in the Northern Territory. It is a heavy workload.
I have just become aware of the fact that the situation is such that he is taking a rest at the moment. I certainly intend to look at the costs involved in giving him a better work environment. I think there is a need for the police, the Attorney-General's Department and Territory Health Services to look jointly at his workload. I will be developing a paper that I will take to Cabinet to seek more funds for these services.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016