Bigger bodies causing problems for coroner

A report in November outlined the high risk of equipment failure as "machinery and equipment has begun to break down"

The mortuary used by Gloucestershire's coroner is struggling to cope with the increase in larger bodies.

It currently has a total of 62 refrigeration units but there is a high risk of equipment failure.

The building opened in 2012 but natural wear and tear as well as outdated equipment is the issue.

Gloucestershire County Council said it would soon be "installing an additional 26 refrigeration units" to increase capacity.

Obesity 'more frequent'

From December 2022 to March 2023 the mortuary was over capacity and the coroner had to hire pop up fridges to deal with the excess bodies.

The number of units which can take bigger bodies is also an issue.

"Obesity is becoming a far more frequent issue," chief fire officer Mark Preece said at a scrutiny meeting in November.

"We have got facilities for larger deceased people, it is the fact it's becoming far more prevalent then it would have been when the facilities were originally put into being [that's the issue]".

Gloucestershire County Council's scrutiny panel visited the coroner a few weeks ago.

"A population which is growing, in terms of it's body size physically means that that causes issues," said councillor Lisa Spivey, who chairs the adult social care and communities scrutiny committee.

"The increasing pressures from other systems have a knock on effect, so for example if you die and you don't have a registered GP then automatically the death has to be opened as an inquiry."

Gloucestershire is not the only coroner facing challenges.

Bristol City Council is fining funeral directors £200 who leave bodies at the Coroners when they are ready for collection.

In a statement, Gloucestershire County Council said: “We will soon be installing an additional 26 refrigeration units which will comprise refrigeration, freezing and bariatric provision, providing us with much greater capacity and future proofing our facility.”