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Mortuary Oversight Failures Put Families at Risk
14 Sep
Summary
- Identification procedures were inconsistently followed at Worthing Hospital.
- Bodies were visible from a public footpath at the hospital mortuary.
- A near miss in body identification was found by inspectors.
A recent inspection of Worthing Hospital's mortuary by The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) revealed serious concerns regarding identification procedures and security. Regulators found that identification protocols were not consistently followed, posing a risk of bereaved families viewing the wrong body. A significant near miss incident, where an incorrect body identification was narrowly avoided, was discovered by staff but not reported to the HTA.
Inspectors also documented instances where bodies were visible from a public footpath, compromising dignity and privacy. The mortuary office fire exit door was frequently propped open for ventilation, granting unrestricted access to the body store. Similar visibility issues were noted through the funeral directors' entrance. University Hospitals Sussex has since implemented immediate improvements to enhance security and privacy, addressing most identified shortfalls.
