A family in Scotland has been left devastated after discovering they held a funeral service and cremated the body of a complete stranger, following a catastrophic labelling error at a major NHS hospital.
A Tragic Error and a Profound Apology
The distressing incident occurred at the mortuary of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. Staff mistakenly released a body with incorrect identification to undertakers. Consequently, a service organised by one family to honour their relative resulted in the cremation of the wrong person.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland's largest health board, has issued a profound apology. The board acknowledged that 'two families have been caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time'. A full investigation is now under way, and the mortuary staff involved have been suspended pending its outcome.
A Troubled History for Scotland's Biggest Hospital
This heartbreaking mistake is the latest in a series of scandals to plague the flagship hospital, which opened a decade ago. The health board's medical director, Dr Scott Davidson, stated: 'I would like to offer my sincere apologies to both families affected.'
He emphasised that the health board has 'very rigorous processes' for body identification but expressed 'deep regret' that these were not followed. The families were informed of the blunder, which is reported to have taken place last month, and have been offered full support.
The incident has sparked outrage from politicians. Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Brian Whittle MSP branded it a 'shocking and unforgivable failure'. He stressed that families trust the NHS at their most vulnerable moment, yet basic procedures were ignored with devastating results.
A Pattern of Serious Failings
This is not an isolated incident for QEUH. The hospital's history is marred by serious issues:
- Earlier this month, it was confirmed a QEUH nurse will stand trial for culpable homicide after allegedly administering a fatal drug dose meant for another patient in 2022.
- In 2017, ten-year-old cancer patient Milly Main died after contracting an infection linked to the hospital's water supply.
- Two child cancer wards closed in 2018 due to infection fears.
- In 2019, two patients died after contracting a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings within the hospital.
- Problems with sewage leaks and ventilation were reported shortly after the hospital opened in 2012.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said they were 'deeply concerned' and had demanded a full investigation from the health board. Dr Davidson confirmed the board 'launched an immediate investigation into this incident and will ensure that learning is applied'.
