A National Health Service hospital trust has been slammed by health inspectors for storing deceased patients in a 'wholly unsuitable' and overcrowded temporary Portakabin, in a major breach of dignity and safety protocols.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a shocking report after an unannounced inspection of the mortuary facilities at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, run by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. Inspectors found a scene of profound concern, with the trust's failure to manage its mortuary services posing a significant risk to the deceased and staff.
A Scene of 'Overcrowding and Inadequate Facilities'
The core of the scandal lies in the trust's use of an external temporary structure. The CQC found that the hospital's main mortuary was operating beyond its capacity, forcing the trust to rely on a refrigerated Portakabin placed outside to hold the overflow of bodies.
This temporary unit was deemed completely inadequate. The inspection revealed that the Portakabin was itself overcrowded and poorly maintained, with one of its two refrigeration units broken. This failure compromised the preservation of bodies, raising serious health and dignity concerns.
Broken Refrigeration and Failed Risk Assessments
The report highlighted a catastrophic failure in basic maintenance and risk management. The trust was aware the temporary unit was operating at full capacity and that one of its chillers had failed, yet no effective action had been taken to address the crisis.
Furthermore, the CQC uncovered that the trust had not conducted a suitable risk assessment for the use of the temporary facility. There was no clear plan for how to manage the situation safely or how to maintain the dignity of the deceased under such appalling conditions.
Staff Forced to Work in 'Wholly Unsuitable' Conditions
The damning report also shed light on the impact on staff. Mortuary employees were forced to work in this unacceptable environment, navigating overcrowded spaces and broken equipment. The CQC noted that this not only compromised their ability to care for the deceased with respect but also potentially impacted their own wellbeing.
The inspectors' findings have resulted in the mortuary service being rated as 'Inadequate'—the lowest possible rating. The CQC has issued a warning notice to the trust, demanding immediate and significant improvements to ensure the deceased are treated with respect and dignity, and that staff are provided with a safe working environment.
This scandal exposes a deeply troubling aspect of the ongoing pressure facing the NHS, where capacity crises are now impacting the most fundamental and sensitive services.
