An inquiry into the case of David Fuller, who abused the bodies of at least 101 women and girls in Kent hospital mortuaries between 2007 and 2020, has found serious failings that allowed his crimes to go undetected. Inquiry chair Sir Jonathan Michael said there were missed opportunities to question Fuller's working practices, and the abuse caused shock and horror across the country.
The inquiry made 17 recommendations to prevent similar atrocities, including installing CCTV cameras in mortuaries, ensuring non-mortuary staff are always accompanied, and that bodies are not left out of refrigerators overnight. Fuller, a maintenance supervisor at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, used his employee swipe card to access mortuaries after staff had left, abusing bodies aged from nine to 100 years old.
Sir Jonathan noted that senior management at the trust were aware of problems in the mortuary as early as 2008 but little effective action was taken. He said there was little regard for who accessed the mortuary, with Fuller visiting 444 times in a year unnoticed and unchecked. The trust's chief executive, Miles Scott, acknowledged the report contained important lessons and said most recommendations had already been actioned since Fuller's arrest.
Health minister Maria Caulfield apologised on behalf of the government and the NHS, committing to learn lessons and provide a full response in spring 2024. A second part of the inquiry, reviewing care of the deceased across the country, is expected to report in 2024.
