Wrong body cremated after mix-up at Glasgow Queen Elizabeth hospital mortuary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched an investigation, saying staff involved have been suspended after a body was cremated by mistake in a mix-up at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

A body was cremated by mistake following a mix-up due to human error at a hospital mortuary.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has launched an investigation, saying staff involved have been suspended.

Family members have been informed and the health board is blaming human error for the incident at the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

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.”

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