Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy has yesterday brought up the delicate issue of delays within some morgues in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Janet has previously brought up this issue when delays were reported to be two weeks before bodies were discharged to undertakers. However, having heard from constituents delays are now extending to 4 weeks and in a couple of cases over a month.
There are some ideas of how to deal with the situation which could include some policy changes to ease pressures on the hospital morgues.
Commenting on the news Janet:
“I am deeply concerned by this issue. We cannot have a situation where bodies are waiting for 4 weeks in the morgue.
“It means that many people across North Wales are unable to properly grieve and have the funerals in a timely manner.
“I have discussed this with several individuals, and it seems there may be scope to consider a policy change at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd mortuary. This would allow deceased individuals to be transferred into the care of their funeral director before all paperwork is finalised, similar to the process currently in place for community deaths.
“I have therefore raised this with the Chair of the Health Board and asked the Cabinet Secretary for Health to work with Betsi to deliver a solution as quickly as possible.
“Please remember that the public cannot visit loved ones in hospital morgues, so some friends and family are waiting up to a month before they can see their late friend. The situation is genuinely heartbreaking”.
ENDS
