Health board apologises after second mortuary mix-up
· BBC NewsMiriam Barker
BBC News
A health board has apologised after it released the wrong body to a bereaved family from a hospital mortuary.
The error, reported to be at The Grange hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, happened in November 2023, shortly before a similar incident reported in December 2023.
Aneurin Bevan health board said it was down to the same human error as the previously reported incident.
It said it a statement it was were "utterly devastated" for the family involved.
According to WalesOnline, external, the incident took place at The Grange and the family were not notified until several months after the death.
Aneurin Bevan health board said it was not made aware of the incident until it recently came to light.
“Our initial investigation has just been completed and we are now further investigating the circumstances surrounding the second incident that occurred around the same time in similar circumstances," the health board said.
“We have taken appropriate action since November within the mortuary setting and have put in place even more safeguards due to this second case.”
The organisation added it had conducted a retrospective audit to ensure there were no further cases.
The statement added the health board had met the family to support them.
“We have been informed that there is no known family of the other patient and this is the reason there has been a delay in this case being identified," the statement continued.
“We will keep family members fully updated throughout our continuing investigation.
“We are deeply sorry, and our thoughts and full support remain with the family.”