Hospital using car park fridges to store bodies

Inspectors found two of the fridges were still being used despite an advisory notice in place

The Worcestershire Royal Hospital has been criticised by inspectors for using outdoor fridges in a car park to store human bodies.

A report by the Human Tissue Authority, following a visit in May, said the units did not sufficiently safeguard "the dignity of the deceased".

It said mortuary staff were advised not to use two of the units, but the pods were left powered on and were still being used "when necessary" despite the advisory notice.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said an action plan was being implemented, and it was committed to providing "dignified" care to patients.

The report listed five major shortfalls. It said the hospital did not currently obtain formal confirmation of receipt when babies were transferred to other establishments for post-mortem examination.

Inspectors also found that out-of-hours CCTV coverage was "insufficient" - raising concerns that a "serious security breach" could go undetected at the main viewing suite and the funeral directors' shutter entrance.

Three of the shortfalls focused on the mortuary's outdoor refrigeration equipment.

They were installed during the pandemic and have since been maintained due to the continuing demand on mortuary services, the hospital said.

But inspectors described their location as "insecure" and said they were not fitted with tamperproof mechanisms.

The report went on to say: "The inspection team was not assured that the location and access arrangements sufficiently safeguard the dignity of the deceased.

"As such, under the current set up, the use of this area for body storage is deemed unsuitable."

Two of the pods also had an uneven surface in the loading bay area, failing risk assessments by the trust's health and safety team.

While the units were not in use on the day of the inspection, inspectors found they were still being used when "deemed necessary" - which the report said posed the risk of "accidental damage" to a body.

Demand growing

A statement from the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said the fridges were not located in a public car park.

It said: "A temporary specialist additional body store facility was commissioned as part of the trust's response to the Covid pandemic.

"With the demand on mortuary services continuing to grow, this facility has been maintained to provide the additional capacity and resilience required to deliver a safe and effective service if needed.

"While the facility is separate from the mortuary building, it is adjacent, in an area that has been converted from a small, barrier-controlled and non-public car park. Access is controlled and monitored by CCTV to ensure security.

"Additionally, it is important that all our facilities provide the necessary dignity and respect required.

"We are committed to providing empathetic and dignified care to our patients and families and are pleased that in its latest inspection the HTA found we were meeting the majority of standards."

A follow-up inspection will be carried out at the hospital in due course.