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My father who passed away on ward 21 and his belongings

Posted By Flowerpots

"My father who passed away on ward 21 and his belongings"

About: Glasgow Royal Infirmary

(as a relative),

well my father went into hospital in February and sadly passed away in June, sadly he is still in the hospital morgue because of this hospital.

I have been trying to arrange my father's funeral but around 3 weeks after my father passed away I got told that because my father had 2 daughters his eldest daughter (not me and me and her eldest daughters aren't sisters  we weren't raised as family) anyway because he had 2 daughters the cashiers office told me that the eldest daughter had all the rights to his belongings and to arrange his funeral (his eldest daughter isn't interested and had already done nothing these past 3 weeks to help arrange anything) but the cashiers office told me they needed a letter from my fathers older daughter stating she isn't interested and she is handing all responsibilities over to me ... now am I wrong but surely as his daughter too I have rights ?

I asked the person in the cashiers office what would happen if they never got a reply back from the older daughter and I was told replied it would be a council funeral I'd have to arrange so the cashiers office has more right to arrange my fathers funeral over me (his daughter ) ??  Wow just wow.  Anyway they ended up getting the letter back from the other daughter so I can now arrange my fathers funeral .... how nice of the hospital to 'allow' me to do that  - he is my father!

My father went into the hospital with some belongings  wallet cash and cards. I have had some hassle (its been a nightmare to be honest ).  Its been horrible  as everytime I have asked the hospital about the belongings I was getting told different things as to where these belongings were at one point we got told the belongings were lost and its only a wallet, they don't see what the problem is.THEY ARE MY FATHERS BELONGINGS.
Anyway yet again I had to wait on the older daughter writing that letter to say she was giving all the responsibilities to me before I could go collect my father's belongings from the hospital.  I went to the hospital yesterday but only got the wallet and cards, no cash. £220 cash that a nurse on ward 21 told me my father had there on the day she told me my father passed away. I got told I can't get the cash untill I prove the funeral is paid for, they want an invoice so they can send me a cheque. Not my fathers cash, but a cheque ?? I'd rather receive the belongings he went into the hospital with, which I have. But since when was a hospital this involved with funerals when there is family there?  5 weeks on and my dad is STILL in the hospital morgue  funeral is next week but this has been a nightmare . Also my father was covered in bruises and his toe nails were going into his skin .... where was his care !!! 
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Responses

Response from John Stuart, Chief Nurse, North Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 years ago
John Stuart
Chief Nurse, North Sector,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 31/07/2020 at 12:43
Published on Care Opinion at 12:43

Good afternoon,

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your Father. I appreciate this has been a difficult situation for all involved.

I understand that you have concerns about your Father’s care. Some medical conditions can result in patients bruising very easily, and when taking bloods each day, this can lead to severe bruising. I have spoken to the ward staff and they have advised that your Father did not want a referral to podiatry services. I apologise for the distress this has caused you. I would be grateful if you could contact me so that we can discuss this further if you would consider this helpful.

We have a Bereavement Service which provides a wide range of services including what to do when someone dies, and referrals to counselling services if required. You may find this helpful as they can provide one to one support. You can contact the Bereavement Service on 0141 451 5373 or you can email:

macinfoandnhsbereavement@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

I can advise that when a patient dies in hospital they are moved to the mortuary to allow the family to make funeral arrangements. The mortuary then waits to hear from the funeral undertakers on the arrangements being put in place. The ward staff send the patient’s valuable to the Cashier’s Office for safekeeping. The Cashier’s Office would be unable to release your Father’s belongings, until arrangements had been put in place to lay your Father to rest.

I understand that the Cashier’s Office provided advice about who to contact regarding assistance with funeral costs, this would also delay the Cashier’s Office from releasing any monies. I have confirmed with the Cashier’s office that the monies will be returned to the family members this week.

I am sorry for your loss and as highlighted above I would be happy to discuss any related issues with you should you consider this helpful.

Your sincerely,

John Stuart,

Chief Nurse,

M:07900678367.

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