Community awareness campaign on autopsy and strontium 90 issues
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Do you have questions about organs or bone samples kept at an autopsy performed in the past on a family member?
It is recognised that there may still be families who have questions about organs and bone samples retained from an autopsy that was performed some time ago. In the past there was a reluctance to tell family members about the processes of an autopsy for fear of increasing their distress at an already very difficult time. It is now understood that families have a right to information and need to determine for themselves what information they would like to know.
The National Community Awareness Campaign was launched on 19 February 2003. It consists of a range of resources including a pamphlet and poster for display in hospitals and doctors' surgeries, and background information for health professionals and the media.
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For further information contact the hotline on: 1300 657 050 |
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Pamphlet
This pamphlet tells you:
- some information about autopsies;
- what you may be able to find out about a specific autopsy; and
- where you can get further help.
Pamphlet - Do you have questions about organs or bone samples kept at an autopsy performed in the past on a family member? (18kb, pdf)
Also available from the Health professionals background information - Do you have patients or clients with questions about organs or bone samples kept at an autopsy performed in the past on a family member? (24kb, pdf)
Also available from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing website.
Information for the Media
Contents
- Background
- Why have a public information campaign?
- How will people make inquiries?
- What are the different reasons for autopsy?
- What samples may have been kept after the autopsy?
- Would the family have known about the whole organ retention or
participation in Strontium 90? - Sort of information that may be available
- Issues that may arise for people who want to make inquiries
- What about the future
- Where to obtain further information
Information for health journalists - Organs and bone samples retained at autopsy (25kb, pdf)
Also available from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing website.
Media Releases
Media Release - Questions answered on retained organs (14kb, pdf)