Family had someone else’s loved one cremated after mortuary released wrong body

Hospital mortuary workers released the wrong body to a grieving family – with the error only discovered after the cremation had taken place.

Health bosses have launched a full investigation and apologised for the ‘terrible’ error.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Scotland’s largest health board – accepted that ‘two families have been caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time’ as a result.

It is understood human error was to blame for the ‘wrongful release’ of the body from the health board’s mortuary at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed a full investigation is now under way, with staff involved suspended while this takes place.

The families affected were informed of what had happened, with ‘full support’ being offered to them after the incident, reported to have taken place last month.

Dr Scott Davidson, medical director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: ‘I would like to offer my sincere apologies to both families affected.

‘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.

‘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.

‘We launched an immediate investigation into this incident and will ensure that learning is applied.’

Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Brian Whittle branded the incident a ‘shocking and unforgivable failure’.

The MSP added: ‘Families entrust the NHS with their loved ones at their most vulnerable moment, yet basic procedures have been ignored with devastating consequences.

‘After previous mix‑ups at this very hospital, there is no excuse. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde must be held fully accountable and explain how on earth this was allowed to happen.’

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: ‘We wish to express our sincere condolences to the families involved with this terrible incident.

‘We are deeply concerned by what has happened and have been clear with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that they must fully investigate the circumstances.’

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