David Fuller : “NHS Hospitals: Bodies Left to Decompose – Inspectors Shocked”

By | May 16, 2024

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Hospital body decomposition inspection
2. NHS hospital decomposing bodies inspection

Officials from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) have raised concerns about inadequate storage facilities and lack of freezer space leading to bodies being stored for too long at unsuitable temperatures. HTA guidance recommends moving bodies into frozen storage after 30 days in fridges, but reports show NHS trusts not always following these rules. Instances include bodies stored for 70 days without freezing at Leeds General Infirmary and bodies in advanced decomposition at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Inspectors found similar issues at King’s College Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital. The HTA emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity and proper storage conditions for the deceased.

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1. Neglected bodies in NHS hospitals
2. Unattended corpses in healthcare facilities

Issues with Body Storage Facilities at NHS Trusts Revealed

Officials from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) have shed light on the concerning lack of adequate storage facilities and freezer space at various NHS trusts, leading to bodies being left for extended periods at unsuitable temperatures.

Incidents of Bodies Left in Fridges for Prolonged Periods

According to official HTA guidance, bodies should be transferred to frozen storage after 30 days in fridges, or sooner depending on the condition of the body. However, reports have surfaced indicating that some NHS trusts are not adhering to these guidelines, resulting in bodies being stored in fridges for far longer than recommended.

Case Studies from Leeds General Infirmary and Royal Blackburn Hospital

An alarming incident at Leeds General Infirmary, documented last year, revealed that a body had been stored for 70 days without being moved to frozen storage, despite being released by the coroner. The body showed signs of decomposition and had soiled shrouding. Another body at the same facility had been stored for 47 days without being transferred to frozen storage and also displayed signs of decomposition.

Similarly, inspectors at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in 2022 found two bodies in an advanced state of decomposition due to not being moved to frozen storage within the recommended 30-day period.

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Critical Shortfalls at King’s College Hospital in London

Inspections at King’s College Hospital in London in 2022 revealed critical shortcomings in body storage facilities, with reports of mouldy and infested conditions. Several adult bodies had been stored in excess of 30 days in fridge units, showing signs of deterioration. However, the long-term storage unit was already at capacity, posing a significant challenge.

Challenges at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford

Inspectors visiting the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in 2022 identified inadequate storage space and observed bodies being held in refrigerated storage for longer than the recommended 30 days, leading to signs of deterioration.

Response from HTA and NHS Trusts

A spokeswoman for the HTA emphasized the importance of preserving the condition of the deceased through proper storage and sufficient provisions. When shortfalls are identified, establishments are expected to implement improvement plans and ensure the dignity of the deceased is maintained.

Dr Magnus Harrison, chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, acknowledged the need for improved systems to prevent such incidents in the future. Similarly, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust stated that they had expanded their mortuary provision following an inspection report in 2022.

Oxford University Hospitals highlighted their commitment to treating deceased patients with compassion and dignity, even after death. The recent refurbishment and expansion of the OUH mortuary aimed to address the rising demand for mortuary facilities.

These revelations come in the wake of a disturbing case in 2021, where David Fuller was convicted of the murders of two young women in Tunbridge Wells. Fuller, who worked at Kent and Sussex Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, sexually abused the bodies of 101 women and girls in hospital mortuaries over a 15-year period.