P2-27 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Hospice security and access controls

Recommendation

Hospices that care for deceased people on their premises should: introduce auditable access control of the area where deceased people are kept; have Standard Operating Procedures regarding the care of deceased people, including security of and access to the areas where deceased people are kept; and minimise unaccompanied access to areas where deceased people are cared for, wherever possible.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the government's statement in December 2025, this recommendation was accepted in full and it was working with the hospice sector on implementing auditable access control, Standard Operating Procedures, and minimised unaccompanied access for areas where deceased people are kept. According to the available evidence, no specific policies or implemented controls have been identified.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, questions-statements.parliament.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Health and Social Care
01 Dec 2025

The Department of Health and Social Care has worked with Hospice UK to ask its clinical leaders group network to urgently review their clinical practices against the recommendations. Hospice UK has already updated its Care After Death guidance for the hospice sector recommending that standard operating procedures regarding care of the deceased includes security measures to protect their dignity and safety, which may include CCTV monitoring.

Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Dec 2025

Accepted in full. DHSC has worked with Hospice UK to ask its clinical leaders group network to urgently review their clinical practices against the recommendations. Hospice UK has already updated its Care After Death guidance for the hospice sector recommending that standard operating procedures regarding care of the deceased includes security measures to protect their dignity and safety, which may include CCTV monitoring. Any temporary or externally commissioned body store should meet these same security and governance standards. The guidance also highlights the inquiry's recommendations suggesting the introduction of auditable access control to the area where deceased people are kept and minimise unaccompanied access of non-permitted staff or contractors if possible. (Source: Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, December 2025)

Source
Inquiry Fuller Inquiry
Report Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report 15 Jul 2025
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care Primary
Themes & Tags
Patient dignity and privacy Care safeguarding systems Hospices Security Access Deceased
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 01 Dec 2025