To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans his Department has to establish local facilities for infant post-mortem examinations to prevent the need for transportation to England.

I am committed to finding a better resolution to the issue of local access for local perinatal and paediatric pathology. Whilst my first preference would be the restoration of a dedicated paediatric pathology service for Northern Ireland, such an outcome continues to remain incredibly challenging as the services are under considerable pressure not just here but across the world due to a global shortage of paediatric pathologists.

I am keen to explore the feasibility of an all-island approach to these services and, as I confirmed to the Health Committee, I have had a number of conversations with Minister Donnelly about the possibility of future co-operation, which, whilst still at the very early stages of development and consideration, have been very positive.

As these services move to more centralised models nationally, my priority in the meantime is to ensure that we continue to have access to high-quality, reliable and timely pathology services at Alder Hey, to ensure that parents can get the medical answers they need following their loss. Access has been secured by a further extension of these arrangements.

Officials will continue to work with NHS England and colleagues across the UK and Ireland to explore possible solutions to capacity issues.