'Utter heartbreak' as wrong body given to family and cremated in blunder

09 December 2023 , 17:23

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Bearers carry a coffin ahead of a service (file image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A bereaved family attended a cremation for the wrong body following a blunder at a hospital.

The mix-up happened in the morgue at The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, south Wales, when the wrong body was given to the family. The family, who have not been named, had to have a second service once the error was discovered by health bosses.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has apologised and is now investigating internally. Nicola Prygodzicz, chief executive of the health board, said: "Words cannot express how sorry we are. We are utterly heartbroken about what has happened to the family and we take responsibility for this isolated incident."

Ms Prygodzicz added: "We have met with the family to fully inform them about this situation and to offer them as much support as they need." The health board has also reassured members of the public the error was an "isolated incident".

The organisation believes there are "no known family of the other patient". After an initial review, it was "confident that this is down to human error in an isolated case".

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"However, we are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and we will keep family members fully updated throughout our investigation," Ms Prygodzicz said.

“No words we can say, or actions we can take, can put this right. We are deeply sorry and our thoughts and full support remain with the family."

A spokesperson for Sirhowy Valley Crematorium near Newport, which is part of Westerleigh Group, said: “We pride ourselves on providing exceptional care and support to all families we serve and as such we treat their right to privacy incredibly seriously. We do not have permission to provide any comments without the consent of families."

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is the local health board of NHS Wales for Gwent, in the south-east of Wales. It was launched in October 2009 through the merger of Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust and Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, and Monmouthshire local health boards. Ms Prygodzicz has been chief executive of the board since September last year.

Bradley Jolly