Action Group Set Up To Fight Mortuary Closure

A group of concerned Tauranga businesses, organisations and individuals all of whom are key stakeholders in autopsy and morgue services met last week to discuss how to respond to the sudden closure of autopsy room and mortuary services by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

As a result an action group was set up that will focus on a long term battle to reverse what they say is a “ludicrous” decision made quickly before many in the community could be informed fully of  its consequences.

“This decision brings with it traumatic consequences,” says action group convenor Paora Stanley.

But he says what is particularly sad about the discussion was that some members of the group – very senior professionals - can’t express their opinions publicly as the DHB can influence contracts they have.

“That is not how an open democracy works, where public servants keep control through implied threat.   That means in this community we have an important issue that can’t be fully and openly explored because of the reputation of the DHB management as being precious about criticism.”

Stanley says losing the autopsy room at the mortuary effectively makes the mortuary limited in its use.

He says even though Tauranga has a group of what some regard as New Zealand’s top pathologists they no longer have the facilities to do a key component of their work.

“So Rotorua has an autopsy room and no pathologists and Tauranga has a group of highly regarded pathologists and nowhere for them to work.  This is bean-counting taken to an extreme.

“Pathologists must now travel to Rotorua or autopsies are carried out by pathologists in either Hamilton or even Auckland. So we have highly skilled people spending their days travelling in cars or waiting for autopsy rooms to become available.”

Stanley says while the excuse for closing the autopsy room was around health and safety Rotorua’s autopsy room is in no better condition than Tauranga’s.

“So do we expect that one to close as well?”

When someone dies in Tauranga their body must now be transported to Rotorua Hamilton or Auckland if an autopsy is required.  And there is no guarantee an autopsy room will be available when they get there.

All of those at the meeting expressed concern losing the autopsy room is going to put pressure on families.

Anyone who would like to know more information about joining the action group should contact Paora Stanley 021 727 961.