Leyla contacted our office after her attempts to request an autopsy of her late father were not responded to. Leyla believed he had been abused by care staff prior to his passing. Leyla received a letter from the health authority advising her to make immediate arrangements to claim her father’s remains as several months had passed since his death.

Our investigation found that there had been a miscommunication between the hospital and the Coroners Service – the hospital had not provided complete identifying information to the Coroners Service. This led to Leyla’s father’s remains being left in the hospital morgue for several months while Leyla attempted to request an autopsy. Concerned about the delay and additional stress it was causing, we recommended, and the Coroners Service agreed, to refer Leyla’s complaint to its investigation team to determine whether an autopsy was needed.

With the miscommunication resolved and Leyla’s request under review by the Coroners Service, we closed the file.