Released 23 May 2023
Request:
For the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022:
- How many post-mortem examinations were performed?
- What was the average number of days between the time of death and the release of the body after a post-mortem examination?
- How many pathologists worked in the trust (in WTE)?
Information disclosed:
Please note University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has been in operation since 1 April 2021, following the merger of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Information about the Trust’s hospitals can be found on our website.
1. Post-mortem examinations are carried out for West Sussex County Council and this activity is only relevant to Worthing Hospital, Worthing. Please refer to the table below for information related to this part of your request:
| Year | Number of post-mortems |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 954 |
| 2020 | 1,117 |
| 2021 | 928 |
| 2022 | 1,078 |
2. This figure has not been calculated by the Trust and is therefore information we do not hold under the terms of the FOIA. The mortuary will not necessarily know the exact time of death for each individual, as this information is not recorded on our systems.
The Trust is contracted to undertake post-mortems for West Sussex County Council, who may hold more information relevant to this part of your request. Information about submitting a FOI request to West Sussex County Council can be found on their website.
3. The NHS Electronic Staff Record [ESR] used by the Trust cannot identify staff with the job title of ‘pathologist’ as this is not a job role that is recorded on the system. We are therefore unable to provide historical data in the context of your request.
We can however indicate that the Trust currently employs 4 medical staff that carry out post-mortems.