John Swinney has expressed his “deep concern” after it emerged that a Glasgow hospital released the wrong body for cremation, describing the incident as deeply distressing for the families involved.
The First Minister also said he believed it would be a “good thing” for a report into the incident to be made public in order to address issues of public confidence.
The comments came after Scotland’s largest hospital apologised when a bereaved family was given the wrong body for a cremation ceremony.
Morgue staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) passed an incorrectly labelled corpse to undertakers, with the mistake only being discovered after the funeral service and cremation had taken place.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the error was the result of human error and confirmed that the staff involved had been suspended.
They confirmed a full investigation is now underway, with staff involved suspended while this takes place.
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The incident was raised during First Minister’s Questions by Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, who asked what action the Scottish Government was taking following the incident.
Responding, Mr Swinney said: “I am deeply concerned by the situation and I extend my sympathies to the families affected. The arrangements and requirements for caring for a deceased require that dignity and respect and the correct procedures are followed at all times.
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Inspectorate of Funeral Directors are investigating the circumstances of this case and I expect to see the outcome of this investigation shortly.”
Ms Baillie emphasised the “devastation” caused to families, noting that the incident was not the first of its kind at the QEUH.
“It is unfortunately not the last with the body of a 96-year-old grandmother sent to the wrong funeral directors,” she said.
Ms Baillie questioned whether a report on the incident would be made public, as she asked why the Scottish Government had been “so slow” to implement regulations under the Burial and Cremation Act passed in 2016.
Mr Swinney responded: “Most of the provisions are in place and indeed there is further recruitment of individuals as part of that implementation process.
“In relation to this particular case, I will explore the questions about publication of the Inspectorate report. I think it would be a good thing if it’s possible but I simply have to confirm if there are details which would be difficult to put into the public domain but I think it is important to do so to address the issues of public confidence.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Sandesh Gulhane said the incident was “not an isolated” case.
"The body of 56-year-old William Paterson was released to the wrong funeral director,” he told the First Minister.
“A mum was left in a mortuary for six weeks with staff telling the family she had been forgotten.
"And 96-year-old Agnes Lane’s remains were released to the wrong funeral firm.
“At a time when families should be grieving, those mistakes are unacceptable, causing significant distress…
“What steps are being taken to hold senior management to account… they always seem to escape scot-free?”
The SNP leader said “arrangements are in place to ensure that the highest standards are applied”, before adding he would “give Parliament the commitment that where we can publish information in this respect we will do so”.
