Scotland's largest hospital, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow, is facing intense scrutiny following a grave error that led to the wrong body being cremated. The incident, attributed to human error, has left two families in distress and prompted an immediate investigation by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Human Error and Immediate Response

The mishap occurred when morgue staff at QEUH incorrectly labelled a corpse, which was then passed to undertakers and cremated. The error was discovered only after the funeral service had been completed. Dr. Scott Davidson, the medical director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, expressed his "sincere apologies" to the affected families, acknowledging that the hospital's rigorous identification processes were not followed. The staff involved have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Broader Context and Ongoing Inquiry

This incident adds to the challenges faced by the £840 million QEUH campus, which has been under public inquiry due to previous infection outbreaks and concerns about its water and ventilation systems. The Scottish government has voiced its deep concern over the cremation mistake, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. A spokesperson stated that the government would carefully consider the findings from the senior inspector of burial, cremation, and funeral directors.

Impact on Bereaved Families

The error not only caused significant distress to the family who unknowingly cremated the wrong body but also denied another family the opportunity to conduct a proper funeral for their loved one. The Scottish Sun first reported that the family involved is inconsolable, highlighting the emotional toll of the incident.