5. MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) Link to this
to the Minister for Courts
What initiatives has he put in place to improve the level of pathology services to coroners and police?
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister for Courts) Link to this
Retirements and resignations in recent years created a critical shortage of forensic pathologists, who are essential to the police for forensic support. To ensure a quality service a specialist unit of forensic pathologists has been created. That is supported by the Auckland District Health Board to provide services across New Zealand. The new structure will ensure good governance and good advice, and provide training to ensure a quality service over time.
Very effective. Police and coroners are now assured of a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, nationwide, full-time specialist forensic pathology service for homicides and suspicious death cases, to perform post-mortems, attend crime scenes, and appear as expert witnesses in criminal prosecutions. We will now provide training, professional development, and a career structure for forensic pathology and collegial support for the wider coronial pathology service—something we could not previously guarantee.