Altnagelvin Hospital.
Tighter procedures are needed in reporting hospital deaths to the coroner, a Derry MLA has said.
Sinn Fein representative, Maeve McLaughlin, was speaking after it was revealed almost 60 deaths in hospitals throughout the North were not immediately reported to the coroner despite a legal obligation to do so.
Coroner’s Office figures show 56 deaths were reported late to the Coroner’s Service.
The figures show a string of cases went unreported for weeks and in some cases months between January 2010 and March 2013.
During the same period a total of 5,655 deaths were reported by hospitals to the coroner.
Ms McLaughlin, the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, said all deaths have a traumatic effect on families and it was essential amilies were given the utmost respect at a time when they had lost someone close.
She added: “It is therefore unacceptable that many families are being traumatised again when they find out that the death of a loved one has been reported to coroner for investigation.
“In one case the death of a patient was referred to the coroner after 85 days. This is totally unacceptable.
“It is important that families are not forced to seek answers weeks or months after the death of a loved one.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “There now needs to be a system put into place where all deaths are immediately reported and the families are informed at the same time.”
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