MSPs have raised serious concerns after NHS Scotland was accused of repeatedly releasing bodies to the wrong families, causing severe distress to grieving relatives.
The latest incident occurred in Glasgow, where a body was mistakenly transferred from a hospital mortuary to an undertaker. The error was only discovered after the wrong body had already been cremated during a memorial service organised by another family.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed that two families were “caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time” and said an investigation is under way.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie described the incident as devastating and warned it was not an isolated case.
She cited other examples, including the remains of a 96-year-old woman being sent to the wrong funeral directors, and suggested the matter could be referred to Police Scotland.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane also listed previous cases, including a 56-year-old man released to the wrong funeral firm and a mother whose body was left in a mortuary for six weeks after staff reportedly forgot about her.
“These mistakes are unacceptable and deeply distressing for families,” Gulhane said, questioning why senior managers are not being held accountable.
First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” and offered his sympathies to the affected families. He confirmed that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, along with the funeral directors’ inspector, is investigating the matter and pledged transparency once findings are available.
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