HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc958-9W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason a post-mortem report was not made available to the bereaved parents of Lee James Booth until 22 July; and whether it is the normal practice for fluids to be administered by mouth so soon after major surgery. [76650]

Mr. Browne

I understand that in seeking to respond to the high volume of calls from distressed relatives, pathologists were not able to make the report available to the parents of Lee James Booth until that date. The Royal Victoria Hospital has apologised to the family for the distress that this delay in conveying the report caused all those concerned.

The Royal Victoria Hospital has advised that it is unable to comment on the reasons for any actions taken in respect of Lee James Booth as these would have been contained in the patient's medical record which is no longer available, having been destroyed after 25 years.