6 January, 2026
  • Bereavement

Families are waiting too long for answers due to paediatric pathology shortages

A severe shortage of paediatric and perinatal pathologists is causing long, distressing delays for families awaiting post-mortem results.

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A woman is sat against the foot of the bed, she looks worried and is looking out of the window. Her hand is rested against her face.

The Royal College of Pathologists’ recent report reveals an alarming crisis across paediatric and perinatal pathology services in the UK. These services are essential for determining why a baby or child has died, and offering  grieving families answers they deserve, quickly. 

The report revealed that: 

  • Bereaved families are facing a major increase in waiting time for post-mortem examination of their babies and children. One in five families are waiting six months or more, and some longer than 12 months. 
  • 37% of paediatric and perinatal pathology consultant posts in the UK are currently vacant. 
  • Recruitment for these posts is almost impossible due to a national shortage of qualified candidates. 
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The report reflects what we’ve been hearing from bereaved families. We’re deeply concerned about the impact that this crisis is having on families. Every family deserves answers about their baby or child’s death in a timely manner. 

As a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, The Lullaby Trust, and other charities, will keep working to ensure this issue remains firmly on the political agenda. We’ll be calling for urgent investment to rebuild the paediatric and perinatal pathology workforce, and a commitment to reduce the time families are waiting for post-mortem reports. 

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