Dr LIM - 1997-02-25
Forensic science is the most testing investigative branch of medicine. Last year, allegations were made about problems in the forensic area at Royal Darwin Hospital. The minister volunteered to investigate these claims. What is the outcome of these investigations?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the matter of the increasing workload in the forensic pathology area at Royal Darwin Hospital was the subject of some debate in parliament last year when the opposition tabled a leaked internal memorandum. At that time, I said that I was aware of the situation and had taken steps to remedy it.
It is worth explaining that forensic medicine means the application of medical knowledge to legal problems. The forensic branch of scientific endeavour embraces biological and chemical laboratory analysis, histology, toxicology, mental investigation, medical examination of deceased persons and pathological analysis. As I undertook to do, I directed the department to have a look at the workload of the forensic pathologist. I am happy to report that a second
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pathologist will be employed soon at Royal Darwin Hospital. I am told he will commence work in April.
However, in the course of reviewing this area, the department also recommended to me that, in line with the varied nature of forensic work, several cross-agency issues warranted further attention. Although it has become fairly common to use the term `forensic' to describe all the work done by the forensic pathologist at Royal Darwin Hospital, when looking at his workload and looking at methods to improve the situation, we have to realise that he is only one cog in a big machine. As a consequence, the courts, the coroner's office in particular, police investigators, insurance companies, mental health professionals and public and private laboratories all do forensic work. It covers several cross- portfolio areas. In that regard, I have asked my department to prepare a comprehensive paper on the efficiency of current arrangements. I intend appointing a consultant who specialises in this area to provide advice. In the meantime, I believe the appointment of a second forensic pathologist will greatly assist our current services, which are already highly thought of, and that it will quickly address the problems with delays that have occurred over the last several months.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the matter of the increasing workload in the forensic pathology area at Royal Darwin Hospital was the subject of some debate in parliament last year when the opposition tabled a leaked internal memorandum. At that time, I said that I was aware of the situation and had taken steps to remedy it.
It is worth explaining that forensic medicine means the application of medical knowledge to legal problems. The forensic branch of scientific endeavour embraces biological and chemical laboratory analysis, histology, toxicology, mental investigation, medical examination of deceased persons and pathological analysis. As I undertook to do, I directed the department to have a look at the workload of the forensic pathologist. I am happy to report that a second
Page 1944
pathologist will be employed soon at Royal Darwin Hospital. I am told he will commence work in April.
However, in the course of reviewing this area, the department also recommended to me that, in line with the varied nature of forensic work, several cross-agency issues warranted further attention. Although it has become fairly common to use the term `forensic' to describe all the work done by the forensic pathologist at Royal Darwin Hospital, when looking at his workload and looking at methods to improve the situation, we have to realise that he is only one cog in a big machine. As a consequence, the courts, the coroner's office in particular, police investigators, insurance companies, mental health professionals and public and private laboratories all do forensic work. It covers several cross- portfolio areas. In that regard, I have asked my department to prepare a comprehensive paper on the efficiency of current arrangements. I intend appointing a consultant who specialises in this area to provide advice. In the meantime, I believe the appointment of a second forensic pathologist will greatly assist our current services, which are already highly thought of, and that it will quickly address the problems with delays that have occurred over the last several months.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016