Wrong body cremated after NHS mix-up

Health board apologises for the "human error in an isolated case"

NHS officials say they are “utterly heartbroken" after a bereaved family attended a cremation for the wrong body.

The South Wales Argus reported that the family - who have not been named - had to have a second cremation once the error was discovered at The Grange University Hospital, in Cwmbran, Torfaen

"Words cannot express how sorry we are," said Nicola Prygodzicz, chief executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The organisation believes there are "no known family of the other patient".

“We are utterly heartbroken about what has happened to the family and we take responsibility for this isolated incident," said Ms Prygodzicz.

"We have met with the family to fully inform them about this situation and to offer them as much support as they need."

She said she wanted to "reassure the public that this is an exceptional case".

The health board "identified this mistake through our own processes," she said.

After an initial review, it was "confident that this is down to human error in an isolated case".

"However, we are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and we will keep family members fully updated throughout our investigation," she said.

“No words we can say, or actions we can take, can put this right.

"We are deeply sorry and our thoughts and full support remain with the family."