Morgues overcrowded due to death certificate delays
Families are unable to say goodbye to loved ones because of changes to death certificates which has also led to overcrowded mortuaries, a funeral director has said.
Geraint Griffith said it was taking between 10 and 20 days for bodies to arrive due to the new system, introduced in September, which he said made it hard to make them look presentable for loved ones.
Overcrowding has also led to hundreds of bodies being moved to other mortuaries in the past six months, and Mr Griffith said families were not being informed.
The lead medical examiner for Wales said he was working "tirelessly" to address any delays.
Plan for volunteer team to attend empty funerals
Death certificate delays leave family in limbo
Son fined after dad's funeral overruns by 13 minutes
Under the new system, partially introduced in response to the deaths caused by serial killer doctor Harold Shipman, all deaths not investigated by a coroner must be reviewed independently by a medical examiner before a death certificate can be issued.
Mr Griffith, a funeral director in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: "It's wrong for families who can't say goodbye to their loved ones.
"There's no other way to say it, they're absolutely devastated."
He said it would previously take about three or four days for a body to be released from a hospital mortuary to a funeral director, but this was now taking 10 to 20 days.
"I've had to turn families away from coming to the chapel of rest because I can't make their loved ones presentable enough because of the length of time between the passing and the registration.
"It's very traumatic for them and it's causing families to have lots of anxiety, lots of stress and pain. It doesn't need to happen."
As a result of the delays, health boards are having to move bodies between hospitals to ensure morgues do not exceed capacity.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board, which covers Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil, moved approximately 500 deceased patients between September and mid March, according to a BBC Wales Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The health board said this was caused by "extreme pressure due to increased length of stay", adding it appreciated the time after death was "distressing" for families and that its priority during transportation was to "maintain the dignity of that person".
Mr Griffith said he was not surprised bodies were being moved, but was shocked families were not being told.
"I think if families knew exactly - the transportation and moving sometime 20 to 25 miles from one hospital to another - I don't think they would approve of that.
"And again, during the transportation period they're unrefrigerated," he said.
Elsewhere, Aneurin Bevan health board said it had moved 229 bodies between mid September and late February, Swansea Bay 98 and Hywel Dda 21.
Cardiff and Vale health board said it was "not possible" to provide a count and Betsi Cadawaldr said no persons had been moved due to shortage of space, only for post-mortem examinations.
Iwan Evans, a funeral director in Carmarthenshire, said there was no blame on mortuary staff or any specific health board, adding there was a "natural pressure" in the winter months due to an increase in deaths.
But he said the lack of capacity in hospital mortuaries was "definitely" a direct result of the "bureaucratic" medical examiner system.
"When we're alive, we trust the doctors, but then after death, this whole system is in place to review and monitor the doctor's work.
"I don't think it's 100% suitable for them to review every single death."
Health is devolved in Wales, but death certificates are not.
Mr Evans said the Welsh government should intervene.
"There are systems to take care of the deceased all over the world, but the situation we have is that our Senedd, where health has been devolved, is accountable to another parliament for this matter."
Rachel Bradburne, of the National Association of Funeral Directors, said the "piecemeal" nature of the system was "frustrating" and the current system was "full of bottlenecks and delays".
Jason Shannon, lead medical examiner for Wales, said he recognised the importance of "seamless and timely death certification".
"We sympathise with any loved ones experiencing delays and we are working tirelessly with all professionals and organisations involved in the death certification process to address any delays being experienced following new changes to the England and Wales death certificate system," he added.
The Welsh government apologised to families who had experienced delays and said the changes were designed to "strengthen safeguard".
It added it was working with the lead medical examiner, NHS and other organisations to provide additional support.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the changes supported "vital improvements to patient safety" and provide comfort and clarity to the bereaved.
"We recognise that there are significant regional variations, and we are actively monitoring these and working closely with the NHS and the Welsh government to swiftly address them."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
NHS doubles amount its spending on private companies
NHS trusts in the South West have almost doubled the amount they are spending on private companies over the past three years. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the GMB Union showed NHS trusts across the region pay at least £151m a year to private companies. The total annual spend has almost doubled since 2021/2022. Figures also reveal that almost £64m has been spent on private ambulances in the region over the same time period. Speaking for GMB members, Mo Akbar has "demanded" an end to privatisation. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said they remain committed to working with the independent sector to "slash elective waiting lists and give patients more choice". The outsourcing of NHS services threatens the financial viability and sustainability of the health service, union members claim. This is because the independent sector providers are not obligated to train staff, which can undermine the quality and scope of training for doctors and other healthcare professionals, union members added. Mr Akbar, an ambulance worker, argues it symbolises a decline in the quality of care for NHS patients, as private providers may prioritise profits over health. "Workers and communities should have more say in how the NHS is run, ensuring decisions focus on patient care, not financial targets," he said. "Health outcomes are tied to poverty, housing, and working conditions, so NHS rebuilding must also address these inequalities. "We demand real terms restorative pay from the 14 years of brutal austerity. "This Labour government will have a crisis of legitimacy if they choose a path of further privatisation of the NHS, which would put at risk the sense of the collectivism that is at the heart of our health service." He added that only 11 South West trusts responded to the FOI - meaning the true figure being paid to the private sector could be far higher than £151m. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Through our Plan for Change, we are making good progress having already cut the waiting list by 200,000 since this government took office and delivered 3.6 million extra appointments." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Hospital jobs to be outsourced from NHS Job losses as urgent NHS call firm collapses NHS cuts will have 'profound effect' on patients Nearly half of NHS workers looking to move jobs NHS England- South West
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Male criminals can self-identify as women in mental health hospitals
NHS mental health hospitals are allowing male criminals to self-identify as women, NHS documents have revealed. Trusts in London are permitting transgender women to use female-only spaces despite acknowledging their presence as a 'risk to a particular gender' and potentially 'very distressing for other patients on a single-sex ward'. Campaigners have accused the NHS of endangering the welfare of the 'most vulnerable women' by allowing transgender women, who were born male, on female wards. A women's rights group used Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to obtain sex and gender policies at NHS mental health trusts in London. The recently disclosed documents found mental health trusts raising concerns over the guidance that forensic patients should use single-sex female spaces if they identified as women. Forensic patients are those referred to the NHS from court or prison for committing offences, or considered a potential risk to themselves or others because of a mental health disorder. Under the current NHS guidelines published in 2019, transgender people should be accommodated according to the way they dress, their name and pronouns, which 'may not always accord with the physical sex appearance of the chest or genitalia'. This also 'applies to toilet and bathing facilities', with the exception of pre-operative transgender people sharing open shower facilities. Policy at West London NHS Trust, which runs the high-security Broadmoor Hospital, abides by these guidelines, stating: 'A trans man or a trans woman must be admitted on to a ward in accordance with their presenting gender, if this is their preference.' It added: 'Patients should be addressed respectfully, using the pronouns of their acquired gender.' The trust cited an example of a transgender patient in a manic state getting undressed in front of women and revealing their genitals. It said: 'A patient with bipolar (who happens also to be trans) who is in a manic state and who does not have capacity may be disinhibited and at risk of disrobing in public. 'Depending on where they are in their transition, it may be more appropriate for them to be admitted to a ward that is in line with their birth gender … while they are acutely unwell and at risk of 'outing' themselves.' The policy document added: 'Once they have recovered and have regained capacity it would be essential to have a conversation with the patient around where they would be most comfortably accommodated, and to arrange a move to a ward in accordance with their correct gender.' Both trusts note that there may be circumstances where it is lawful to exclude a patient, transgender or otherwise, from a single-sex ward if it constitutes 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim' such as harm reduction. At Central and North Western London, a policy document said that 'further consideration may be needed as to how best to manage a trans individual' in some cases, such as when 'a sexually disinhibited pre-operative transsexual individual may be very distressing for other patients on a single-sex ward'. In such a 'rare occasion', the policy recommends the individual 'be transferred to a single room and consideration made to their temporary use of a disabled toilet should individual toilets not be available'. The trust said it 'respects an individual's right to self-identify as male or female', and made clear that transgender women could access women's lavatories. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, the equalities watchdog, has issued interim guidance advising it should be 'compulsory' for workplaces to provide single-sex lavatories, though trans women should not be left with no facilities to use. The NHS is currently reviewing its guidelines on same-sex accommodation in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at the human rights charity Sex Matters, said: 'It's deeply disturbing that the safety and welfare of some of the most vulnerable women in London – those in the care of state mental health services – are being so seriously compromised by NHS trusts. 'The Supreme Court judgment was crystal-clear that single-sex services must be run on the basis of biological sex. 'There is no excuse for a dangerous 'case-by-case' approach that deems some men safe to be housed in women's accommodation. 'These NHS trusts are missing the point: no male patient should ever be allowed in female accommodation under any circumstances. His claimed identity, history of sexual behaviour and whether he has had surgery to remove body parts are all irrelevant. So is the state of his mental and physical health. 'If health care managers cannot understand why this matters so much in mental health services, then they are not fit to run NHS trusts or to have female patients in their care.' A campaigner involved in the audit told The Times that it was 'scary to think' that the gender identity of violent criminals could 'override the safety and dignity of women'. They added: 'NHS trusts are playing Russian roulette with women's safety. The Supreme Court ruling clarified that single-sex spaces must be single sex, and it is vital that this is now enforced nationally across all hospitals.' An NHS spokesman said: 'The NHS is working through the implications of the Supreme Court ruling, and we absolutely recognise the need for revised guidance. It's important that we wait for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to publish its statutory guidance before final decisions about future policy are taken. 'In the meantime, we are working closely with Government to ensure we can provide updated guidance for the health service as soon as possible.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Judge Reportedly Claims 'Teen Mom 2' Alum Will Eventually 'Kill Someone'
Judge Reportedly Claims 'Teen Mom 2' Alum Will Eventually 'Kill Someone' originally appeared on Parade. Teen Mom 2 alum Nathan Griffith will serve up to four years in prison after allegedly strangling his ex-girlfriend, a violent act that violated his probation — which he was on for allegedly strangling his sister years earlier. Jenelle Evans' ex — with whom she shares 10-year-old son Kaiser — will serve a "maximum of 48 [months] with a minimum parole eligibility of 14 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections," according to the sentence filing obtained by The Sun on Thursday, May 29. Griffith reportedly received 11 days already served. According to an eyewitness in court, the judge told Griffith: "You are a danger to others and you're going to kill someone.'" Griffith allegedly sobbed as the sentence was handed down. Per multiple outlets, the former Marine pleaded guilty to the felony charge of "Battery Constituting Domestic Violence- Strangulation" in the alleged April assault of Biddle, 21. Per The Sun, Biddle was in court at Griffith's sentencing, as was his estranged, but still legal, wife, May Oyola — who recently shared an Instagram photo of a large bouquet of flowers from Griffith, signed "Your Husband." Griffith's sister, who accused him of strangling her in 2023, was also in court. Though Evans was not present in the courtroom, she caught major heat from Teen Mom fans after defending Griffith on TikTok following the altercation with Biddle. At the time, she claimed that Griffith and Biddle were both at fault, and offered her ex stay at her house — specifically, in Kaiser's room. (Evans previously claimed that Griffith hadn't seen his son in two years.) Evans' estranged husband, David Eason, has his own strangulation charge against him. He was charged with felony 'Assault by Strangulation" after allegedly strangling Evans' 15-year-old son Jace. Eason has denied the claims. In addition to Jace and Nathan, Evans is also mom to 8-year-old daughter Ensley, whom she shares with Eason. If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit their website. Judge Reportedly Claims 'Teen Mom 2' Alum Will Eventually 'Kill Someone' first appeared on Parade on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.