Glasgow hospital launches inquiry after wrong body cremated

"An investigation has been launched by a Glasgow hospital after an error led to the wrong body being cremated. The mistaken release of the body by the hospital to the undertakers was only discovered after the funeral service and the cremation had taken place. The error also meant another family were prevented from having their relative's remains at their funeral. NHS bosses have apologised to the two families affected by the mistake at Queen Elizabeth university hospital in Glasgow, the largest hospital in Scotland."

"We have very rigorous processes for the identification and labelling of bodies from arrival in our mortuaries until their release into the care of an undertaker, he said. It is of deep regret that these processes have not been adhered to on this occasion, and that as a result two families have been caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time."

An error at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow resulted in the wrong body being released to undertakers and cremated, discovered only after the funeral and cremation. Another family were denied their relative's remains for their funeral. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted human error and said procedures for identifying and labelling bodies before mortuary transfer were not followed. The staff involved have been suspended and a full investigation has been launched. NHS bosses apologised to both families. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is already subject to a public inquiry after infection outbreaks and concerns about water and ventilation systems since its 2015 opening.

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