‘Corpse in van’ hospital worker keeps job

NHS Grampian: Allowing man to return to work. Picture: Contributed

An independent investigation was ordered by NHS Grampian after the body was discovered by shocked mechanics in the specialist mortuary vehicle after it was left for repairs at the AM Phillip commercial vehicle servicing depot in Aberdeen’s Auchmill Road.

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said last month that the health authority was treating the discovery as “a very serious incident” which they were dealing with as a matter of urgency.

And today the board announced that, following the internal review, the suspended workers had returned to his role at NHS Grampian.

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “We have completed our investigation into this incident and it has highlighted a failure to communicate between porters at a handover during a change of shifts.

“A series of actions have already been taken to ensure such an incident cannot happen again. These include training for staff and revised work instructions on handover procedures and record keeping.”

She added: “The suspended member of staff has returned to work. We are satisfied they can resume their duties on completing the training in the revised procedures.”

The health board announced last month: “We have been in touch with the family of the deceased person and have apologised unreservedly for the distress that this incident has caused them. We have also been in touch with the garage and have apologised for the distress that may have been caused to their staff.”