Mother in mortuary row seeks meeting with minister

Rachel Baker's son, Joe, died in a crash in Somerset in 2023.

A mother, who is fighting to create a new law after she was unable to see her son's body for 10 days after his death, has called for a meeting with the government.

Rachel Baker's son, Joe died in a crash aged 20 while travelling to his Royal Navy base in Yeovilton, Somerset, in November 2023.

Following his death, Mrs Baker was told by Somerset NHS Trust that they only gave next of kin access "under exceptional circumstances".

In response to a letter from her MP, a minister said they were not looking currently to change the law over the issue.

Mrs Baker has been campaigning to create Joe's Law, to give families immediate access to their loved ones after their death.

Mrs Baker, from Hoptonheath on the Shropshire-Herefordshire border, was shocked to be denied access to her son's body immediately after his death in 2023.

His body was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital mortuary, run by the trust, who said they could not give her access until directed to by the coroner.

They also apologised and said communication was not clear.

Following that, in response to a letter from Mrs Baker's MP, Stuart Anderson, Health and Social Care minister Baroness Gillian Merron said there was "no current work" looking into the legislative changes.

Mrs Baker said she wanted a change in the law to make sure nobody else had to go through what her family has been through

Mrs Baker said she was "disappointed but not deterred" by the response.

"I know that what I'm trying to implement is not going to happen overnight," she said.

"But, at the same time, my goal remains the same.

"We don't want any other mothers or fathers - or families for that matter - to have to endure what we endured so I would very much like to meet with the minister face-to-face."

In the letter, Baroness Merron said the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) was responsible for reviewing standards at mortuaries.

"Departmental officials are grateful to Mrs Baker for highlighting this issue," she said.

"I know this response may be disappointing to Mrs Baker and her family but please be assured that the HTA works to help mortuaries to improve the standard of care they provide so that deceased people are treated with the utmost dignity and respect."