Scotland’s largest hospital has issued an apology after a bereaved family was given the wrong body for a cremation ceremony.
Morgue staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow passed an incorrectly labelled body to undertakers, resulting in the remains of the wrong person being cremated.
The mistake was only discovered after the funeral service and cremation had taken place.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the error was the result of human error and confirmed that the members of staff involved have been suspended while a full investigation is carried out.
Dr Scott Davidson, the health board’s medical director, 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.”
As a result of the error, one family unknowingly held a funeral and cremation for the wrong person, while another family was denied the opportunity to have their loved one’s remains returned to them for a funeral service.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it is reviewing its procedures to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
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