Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 March 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 March 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd January 2002 at 378 c969W, on funeral arrangements, what measures have been taken since 27th October 1997 to (a) ensure and (b) monitor compliance with the guidelines on burial in unmarked graves issued to NHS trusts on that date.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2002, Official Report, column 969W, on funeral arrangements, what measures have been taken since 27 October 1997 to (a) ensure and (b) monitor compliance with the guidelines on burial in unmarked graves issued to NHS trusts on that date. [40075] Ms Blears: Since October 1997 NHS Trusts have had explicit guidance that where patients die in NHS hospitals and have a burial arranged by the Trust, the burial plot should be marked by a permanent memorial or marker. Trusts were further reminded of this requirement in April 2001 subsequent to the publication of the report into the Alder Hey Inquiry. Compliance with the guidance is not monitored centrally, but if concerns were brought to the attention of the Department of Health they would be investigated.

Secondary information