AGY-5349 | Department of Forensic Medicine (Glebe)

Full description

The Department of Forensic Medicine was established in August 2001, under the umbrella of the Central Sydney Laboratory Services, Central Sydney Area Health Services. (1) The Department replaced the Institute of Forensic Medicine (Glebe Morgue) dissolved by the Minister for Health in August 2001, following an inquiry by Commissioner Brett Walker SC into post-mortem and anatomical practices at Institute. The Inquiry found some practices at the morgue had been illegal mainly due to ignorance of the Law. The administration of the Institute was also criticised. (2)

The main function of the Department was to provide forensic medicine services to the NSW State Coroner, and also to provide State-wide support for forensic medicine practitioners. The expertise of the Department included the following areas: aviation medicine, bereavement counselling, medical investigation of crime scenes, pre trial and trial advice, provisions of second opinions, and presentations at medico-legal seminars. The Department was also the “premier forensic medicine educational body for undergraduate and postgraduate students in NSW.” (3)

In 2002, the Department participated in a documentary, A case for the Coroner. Filming for the documentary, detailing the work of the NSW Coronial system, took place over more than six months starting in October 2002. Participation in the documentary was part of the Department’s efforts to educate the Public about its activities, as recommended by the Walker report. (4)

In 2003, the structure of the Department included a Clinical Director, Laboratory Services Manager, Business Manager, and a Forensic Counselling Service. (5)

By 2004, the Department was involved in the possible establishment of an independent statutory authority, namely the NSW Forensic Medicine and Pathology Authority. (6) By 2008, however, it appears that the Authority had not been established. (7) The Department also participated in other authorities and committees, such as the Organ and Tissue Donation Sector Review Committee. (8) 

On 1 January 2005, the Department of Forensic Medicine became a facility of the Sydney South West Area Health Service, which was created by the amalgamation of the Central Sydney Area Health Service, and the South West Sydney Area Health Service. (9)

By 2008, the Department provided expert advice in the following areas: investigation of trauma; sudden infant deaths; “High risk” autopsies; forensic dentistry; death scene examination; deaths in custody; aviation fatalities; homicide and alleged homicide autopsies, non coronial autopsies, injury interpretation; forensic anthropology; and critical and incident stress debriefing. (10)

In early July 2008, Acting NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant announced that the Departments of Forensic Medicine at Westmead and Glebe were to be amalgamated due to a shortage of Forensic Pathologists at Westmead. (11) In early September 2008, the amalgamation still appeared to be pending. (12)

Endnotes
(1) Central Sydney Area Health Service, Annual Report, 2001/2002, p.49.
(2) NSW Minister for Health, Media Release, ‘Institute abolished, Director moved following Glebe Morgue Inquiry’ 17 August 2001. 
(3) Central Sydney Area Health Service, Annual Report, 2002-2003, p.51.
(4) Loc.cit.
(5) Department of Forensic Medicine Website, http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/Csahs/Forensic/DOFM_ORG.pdf (cited 21 August 2008).
(6) Central Sydney Area Health Service, Annual Report, 2003-2004, p.53.
(7) NSW Government Directory Website, http://www.directory.nsw.gov.au/completelist.asp (cited 15 August 2008); NSW Government Gazettes, FOI Summary of Affairs, 2001-2008.
(8) Central Sydney Area Health Service, Annual Report, 2003-2004, op.cit., p.53.
(9) Health Services (Amalgamation of Area Health Services) Order 2004 in NSW Government Gazette, Special Supplement, 28 July 2004, pp.8129 – 8137, and South West Sydney Area Health Service, Annual Report, 2004/2005, pp.3-5, 36.
(10) Department of Forensic Medicine website, http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/Csahs/Forensic/about.htm (cited 21 August 2008).
(11) Medical Search Australia and NZ website http://www.medicalsearch.com.au/News/Forensic_pathologist_shortage_forces_morgue_changes-33158 (cited 12 August  2008) and NineMSN Website http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=591522 ‘ NSW crying out for Forensic Pathologists’ (cited 12 August 2008).
(12) Sydney Morning Herald Website, http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/morgue-unable-to-cope/2008/09/06/1220121593170.html (cited 8 September 2008); NSW government warned over morgue closure - National - smh.com.au (cited 8 September 2008); iphone Website, http://iphone.news.com.au/stories/33484 ‘ Morgue closure sparks warning’ (cited 8 September 2008).