Dunne Post Mortem Inquiry

As part of the Dunne Post Mortem Inquiry the South Eastern Health Board carried out an audit of post mortem records.  During this audit no records were found of the transfer of pituitary glands to any company or agency.  However, recent correspondence from a pharmaceutical company indicates that they received glands from Ardkeen Hospital from 1978 to 1984.  This correspondence has indicated over the six years that approximately 50 glands were forwarded to the pharmaceutical company for the manufacture of human growth hormone.    We are unable to match this information with post mortems relating to any individual.

The South Eastern Health Board has been co-operating fully with the Dunne inquiry and has furnished the inquiry with all information in our possession.

The South Eastern Health Board acknowledges and regrets the distress this has caused to families of relatives.  A confidential freephone helpline, 1800 300655 was established in 2000 for families who have any concerns or queries in relation to organ retention.  This helpline continues to be available Monday – Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm .

The South Eastern Health Board wishes to reassure people that practices today around informed consent and record retention have changed, and the practices of almost 30 years ago would not occur in today’s services.