Written question asked by Richard Taylor (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 8 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 January 2002. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Friday, 18 January 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will review the arrangements for the alternative storage of the deceased following the closure of the mortuary at Kidderminster Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the implications for costs to families.

Answer: Dr. Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the arrangements for the alternative storage of the deceased following the closure of the mortuary at Kidderminster hospital; and if he will make a statement on the implications for costs to families. [26222] Yvette Cooper: I am informed that the coroner, local funeral directors and the Kidderminster and district community health council have been involved in the planning of alternative arrangements for the storage and removal of the bodies of deceased patients from Kidderminster hospital. Where the family have already decided upon a funeral director, then arrangements will go ahead as planned. In those cases where a decision has yet to be made, then arrangements have been made with a local funeral directors company for appropriate storage of the deceased, at no cost to the family, until a decision is reached. The trust has confirmed that it sees as a priority the need to maintain a service which treats the deceased with respect and dignity, and which is compassionate in the manner in which it relates to the members of their family.

Secondary information