Mortuary Care Review: Nottingham Trust’s Commitment to Improvement

Mortuary Care Under Scrutiny

An inspection by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has brought to light concerns regarding mortuary services at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham.

The review, led by Donna Ockenden, revealed a series of shortcomings, including the discovery of eight bodies in a state of advanced deterioration due to a lack of freezer space.

Addressing Shortfalls

NUH Chief Executive, Anthony May, has taken responsibility for the issues and assured the public of his commitment to rectifying the situation.

He stated, “We immediately commissioned a review with the family, and we’re taking action to improve.”

Independent Review and Police Investigation

The trust has initiated an independent review into mortuary services, and the HTA’s inspection report highlights critical and major shortfalls.

Additionally, a police investigation, Operation Perth, has led to the arrest of two men in connection with mortuary practices, further emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

A Focus on Dignity and Respect

The HTA’s inspection revealed a lack of respect for the dignity of the deceased, with recurring failures in post-death care.

This includes inadequate arrangements for paediatric post-mortems and the release of bodies without proper identification checks, which could lead to the wrong bodies being released to families.

Moving Forward

Despite the challenges, the trust is taking proactive steps to improve. The HTA noted that improvements have already been made, and the trust’s CEO has emphasized the importance of dignity and respect in mortuary care.

As the trust works to implement its action plan, the focus remains on ensuring the highest standards of care and respect for the deceased and their families.

Have you been affected by these issues? Your stories can help shed light on the situation and drive positive change.