REID CALLS ON NHS HIGHLAND NOT TO GO AHEAD WITH CHARGES FOR MORTUARIES

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, has written to NHS Highland Chief Executive, Dr Roger Gibbins, urging him not to go ahead with charging for Mortuary facilities at hospitals in Oban and Mull.

Mr Reid said,

“I have just learnt that NHS Highland intends to start charging for mortuary services to undertakers using the Lorn & Islands Hospital, at Oban and the Dunaros Hospital, on Mull. This will add a minimum of £18 to the cost of a funeral and could cost families as much as £60 for services rendered over the weekends. The charges will be made to undertakers and it is inevitable that they will be passed on to the bereaved families. This is scandalous and puts additional strain on the family at a time when they least need it.

“I fear that the introduction of this charge in Oban and Mull is the thin end of the wedge to introducing these charges throughout Argyll & Bute.

“I have written to NHS Highland urging them nor to proceed with these charges to undertakers, which will affect bereaved families”.