A plan to transfer an autopsy service from north Tipperary to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick from August has met with opposition.
North Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Maire Hoctor has said the proposal by four consultants at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital to transfer all autopsies from Nenagh Hospital to Limerick could not be allowed to happen.
The long-established autopsy procedure has been a valued service in the history of Nenagh Hospital since its foundation in the mid-1930s.
The proposal was approved in principle by Nenagh Hospital consultants on the grounds of health and safety regulations and convenience for families.
"This proposal must be opposed at all costs. I fail to see why approval was sought from the local Nenagh Hospital consultants if it is a health and safety issue. Surely no questions should have to be asked if the proposal was based on such a serious issue. It should just have been a clear transfer," said Ms Hoctor.
The Nenagh-based TD said she was not convinced that the proposal was properly thought out.
"It would not be more convenient for family members from north Tipperary to travel into the congestion of Limerick city to identify deceased loved ones."
As a result of the proposed move, additional Garda resources would be needed to accompany the transfer of the deceased person to Limerick.
She said families of deceased people could incur further expense as a result of the proposal.
"The Health Service Executive and the deceased person's family could incur additional costs as a result of the extra travel and staff involved. To propose to transfer this valuable local service from Nenagh Hospital from August is an insult to the current system and must be opposed.
"From my ongoing and direct discussions with the staff involved, I believe more extensive consultation is necessary."