Patient dignity and privacy
Failure to ensure suitable arrangements are in place to consider and respect the dignity, privacy, and independence of people using care services.
98 items
1 source
15 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Patient dignity and privacy has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
98 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (98) — showing 50 strongest matches
89 — Sensitive handling of persons rescued from accidents
Recommendation: Further consideration should be given to the sensitive handling of persons rescued from accidents including whether they should be sent onward by train (para 2.14).
Unknown
75 — Time and privacy to reflect
Recommendation: Ensuring relatives have sufficient time, privacy and support to reflect upon the request for consent to an HPM or the retention of organs following a CPM or an HPM.
Unknown
112 — Seek consents before interviewing
Recommendation: The consents of parents and of children where of a maturity to give consent should be sought prior to investigative interviewing being undertaken (17.51).
Unknown
106 — Child's choice of doctor's sex
Recommendation: A child should be able to choose whether the examination is conducted by a female or a male doctor (17.44).
Unknown
R85 — RQIA communication with patients
Recommendation: RQIA needs to spend proportionately more time talking to patients/residents, and its staff need to be trained in specific communication techniques such as Makaton and Talking Mats.
No response yet
P2-56 — Unlicensed body stores follow same standards
Recommendation: Where local authorities provide an unlicensed body store, they should do so in line with this Report's recommendations to local authority providers of licensed mortuaries.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-51 — Local authority biennial audits and peer review
Recommendation: The mortuary service must be reviewed by professional auditors at least biennially, with the results of the audit reported to a formal committee regardless of the level of assurance. Local authorities must arrange a peer review of the mortuary service …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-50 — Local authority mortuary as regulated service
Recommendation: The mortuary service must be treated in the same way as other regulatory services within local authority reporting structures: The mortuary must be visible to scrutiny at the relevant statutory committee, with regular reporting. Key performance indicators must be identified …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-49 — Local authority DI management and oversight review
Recommendation: There must be a review of the management and oversight arrangements for the mortuary service, taking into consideration who is appointed as the Designated Individual, their direct contact with the mortuary, level of influence within the local authority, and attendance …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-48 — Local authority annual SOP and HTA audits
Recommendation: There must be audits of the mortuary Standard Operating Procedures and compliance with Human Tissue Authority requirements, undertaken annually as a minimum, with a clear record of authorisation by the Designated Individual, head of service or equivalent. Audits of staff …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-47 — Local authority security breach investigation
Recommendation: There must be an investigation into the root cause of each security breach. Each incident, the investigation and action plan must be reported to director level within the local authority as a minimum. Serious security breaches must also be reported …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-45 — Local authority single security SOP
Recommendation: All policies and procedures in relation to the security of the mortuary must be accurately and comprehensively reflected in a single security Standard Operating Procedure.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-44 — Local authority incident response SOPs
Recommendation: Arrangements for responding to incidents of unauthorised access must be reviewed and incorporated into Standard Operating Procedures.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-43 — Local authority CCTV installation
Recommendation: CCTV must be installed inside the mortuary facing all doors and access points, the reception area and the doors of all fridges containing deceased people, including where these are accessible from within the post-mortem room. Local authorities must put appropriate …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-42 — Lock fridges and freezers at all times
Recommendation: Fridges and freezers containing deceased people must be locked at all times, with appropriate key security in place.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-41 — No reliance on keys/keypads alone
Recommendation: There must be no reliance on keys and keypad codes alone to secure access to the mortuary.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-40 — Local authority strategic security review
Recommendation: Immediate steps must be taken to commission a specialist strategic review of the systems in place to protect the deceased, which should include a detailed risk assessment of the potential breaches of security that could occur. The review should include …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-39 — Local authority security audits
Recommendation: Routine and regular audits of security must be conducted, encompassing both access to and exit from the mortuary and movement within it, including the post-mortem room. Access data must be reconciled against CCTV footage. Audits must be reported to the …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-38 — Local authority lone working review
Recommendation: Where mortuary staff are permitted to work alone in the mortuary, there should be a review of lone working policies, including consideration of activities involving direct handling of the deceased, alongside mitigations that can be put in place to safeguard …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-37 — Local authority visitor supervision
Recommendation: Where people other than mortuary staff are visiting the mortuary during working hours, for example contractors, cleaners and other visitors: Access must be limited to specific areas required for the purposes of their work or visit. They must be supervised …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-36 — Local authority individualised access controls
Recommendation: Where unsupervised access is permitted for a legitimate and unavoidable purpose, there should be individualised electronic access controls to enter the mortuary and restrict access to specific areas of the mortuary, such as the post-mortem room. There should be a …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-35 — Local authority mortuary access review
Recommendation: There should be a process to routinely review who is permitted to access the mortuary unsupervised.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-33 — Ambulance photography policies
Recommendation: Every NHS ambulance service must put policies in place regarding taking photographs of deceased patients, including any circumstances in which this may be required, and ensure that ambulance staff are aware of these and comply with them.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has written to DHSC setting out the work they are doing to implement recommendations 31 to 33. This includes discussing with ambulance service leads to ensure all ambulance …
Accepted
In progress
P2-32 — Ambulance policies on deceased security and dignity
Recommendation: NHS ambulance services should also have policies regarding the security and dignity of the deceased, including when the deceased should be covered and/or secured. NHS England should monitor that such policies are in place.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has written to DHSC setting out the work they are doing to implement recommendations 31 to 33. This includes discussing with ambulance service leads to ensure all ambulance …
Accepted
In progress
P2-31 — Ambulance policy on crew position with deceased
Recommendation: Every NHS ambulance service should have a policy setting out where ambulance crew members should sit when conveying deceased patients. This should include reference to the risk of abuse of deceased patients, as well as training requirements.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has written to DHSC setting out the work they are doing to implement recommendations 31 to 33. This includes discussing with ambulance service leads to ensure all ambulance …
Accepted
In progress
P2-27 — 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 …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: 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 …
Accepted
In progress
P2-24 — Anatomical education security and dignity policies
Recommendation: All organisations providing anatomical education and training using donors should make sure that policies and procedures are in place to ensure the security and dignity of donors. These should include: security and access policies and the auditing of security and …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: For the remaining 21 recommendations, these remain under consideration.
Response Unclear
P2-23 — Independent sector accompanied access to deceased
Recommendation: Independent sector healthcare providers should ensure that only people who have a legitimate reason to access a room that contains a deceased patient do so, even if they are staff members, and that they are always accompanied.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: DHSC officials have met twice with the Independent Healthcare Provider Network (IHPN), which engaged with its members in September 2025. Members have confirmed they have taken action on the report. IHPN is now considering how …
Accepted
In progress
P2-22 — Independent sector SOPs for deceased patients
Recommendation: Independent sector healthcare providers should ensure that there are Standard Operating Procedures and policies in place to protect the security and dignity of any patients that die under their care. Wherever possible, deceased patients' rooms should be kept locked. Providers …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: DHSC officials have met twice with the Independent Healthcare Provider Network (IHPN), which engaged with its members in September 2025. Members have confirmed they have taken action on the report. IHPN is now considering how …
Accepted
In progress
P2-21 — NHS England incorporate deceased in safeguarding framework
Recommendation: NHS England should formally incorporate the safeguarding of deceased people into its safeguarding framework for NHS trusts.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-20 — Chief Nurse responsibility for deceased safeguarding
Recommendation: The remit of the Chief Nurse in NHS trusts should explicitly include executive responsibility for safeguarding the security and dignity of deceased people in NHS mortuaries and body stores.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-5 — Operational barriers including device restrictions
Recommendation: All NHS trusts should consider putting in place systemic operational barriers that prevent the security and dignity of deceased people being compromised. An example of this would be implementation of a rule that prevents electronic devices such as phones or …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-4 — End shared swipe cards
Recommendation: The practice of using shared electronic swipe cards for specific staff groups should cease immediately.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P2-3 — Audit access data for deceased storage
Recommendation: All NHS trusts should routinely audit the access data of all facilities used to store deceased people.
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
BAHA-25 — Restriction on Waking CPERS
Recommendation: In line with Recommendation 11 above, the tactical questioning and interrogation policies need to make clear that it is not permissible to deliberately keep prisoners awake, even for short periods, merely because they may shortly face tactical questioning or interrogation. …
Words of: Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence, statement to the House of Commons, 8 September 2011 (HC Deb vol 532 col 571), as published by the Ministry of Defence
Gov response: I can inform this House that I am accepting in principle all of his recommendations with one reservation.
Accepted in part
BAHA-13 — Segregation and Sight Deprivation
Recommendation: In dealing with segregation, JDP 1-10 should make clear that sight deprivation should not be used as a means of segregating CPERS to prevent them communicating with each other.
Words of: Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence, statement to the House of Commons, 8 September 2011 (HC Deb vol 532 col 571), as published by the Ministry of Defence
Gov response: I can inform this House that I am accepting in principle all of his recommendations with one reservation.
Accepted in part
104 — Sheriff may authorise medical examination
Recommendation: The Sheriff should be empowered to authorise a child to be taken for a medical examination (17.41), although the carrying out of the examination should not proceed if the child refuses to be examined (17.42).
Unknown
P2-2 — CCTV in all NHS mortuaries
Recommendation: All NHS trusts should install CCTV inside the mortuary, with cameras facing all doors and access points, the reception area and the doors of body fridges, while maintaining the security and dignity of deceased people by implementing the appropriate safeguards. …
Words of: Department of Health and Social Care, Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, 16 December 2025
Gov response: The government has agreed to accept in principle 43 recommendations subject to further work to determine the full impact of these recommendations.
Accepted in part
In progress
P1-17 — Deceased treated with same dignity as patients
Recommendation: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must treat the deceased with the same due regard to dignity and safeguarding as it does its other patients.
Words of: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Assurance statement on the implementation of the Phase 1 Fuller Inquiry recommendations, dated 23 February 2024, Trust Board paper presented by Miles Scott, Chief Executive, to the meeting of 29 February 2024
Gov response: The Trust now complies with this recommendation in full on the following basis: • A definition of “Safeguarding” has been developed by the Trust’s Chief Nurse that can apply to this context, given that the …
Accepted
P1-9 — CCTV in mortuary including post-mortem room
Recommendation: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must install CCTV cameras in the mortuary, including the post-mortem room, to monitor the security of the deceased and safeguard their privacy and dignity.
Words of: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Assurance statement on the implementation of the Phase 1 Fuller Inquiry recommendations, dated 23 February 2024, Trust Board paper presented by Miles Scott, Chief Executive, to the meeting of 29 February 2024
Gov response: The Trust now complies with this recommendation in full on the following basis: • CCTV cameras were initially installed in the Trust’s mortuaries in the spring of 2020 (the installation at Maidstone Hospital was completed …
Accepted
AS-7 — Strip-Search Safeguards
Recommendation: Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that minimum safeguards are in place where a detainee is to be strip-searched. These include informing a detainee as to the necessity for the strip-search and requesting his/her co-operation. Those conducting a strip-search …
Words of: Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence, statement to the House of Commons, 17 December 2014 (HC Deb vol 589, col 1408)
Gov response: Sir Thayne Forbes has made just nine recommendations, and he acknowledges the progress that the Ministry has made since 2004 to improve all aspects of the prisoner-handling system—from policy and doctrine to unit-level instructions and …
Accepted in part
3 — Guidance on control of patients' money
Recommendation: The Department are now preparing new guidance on the control of patients’ money which will avoid the retention of large sums at ward level. We welcome this but hope that nurses will be able to retain and develop their therapeutic …
Unknown
83 — Translation and accessibility services
Recommendation: Accessing translation/interpreting services including services for people with hearing or visual impairment and providing appropriate written/taped information.
Unknown
80 — Practical help for relatives
Recommendation: Assisting relatives in the following practical matters: – collecting the deceased’s personal belongings and arranging return to relatives; – ensuring provision of certificate of death and the formal notice; – explaining the procedure to register the death; – providing support …
Unknown
77 — Meetings with clinician and pathologist
Recommendation: Facilitating meetings between parents, clinician and pathologist as appropriate.
Unknown
74 — Explain consent after Coroner examination
Recommendation: Explaining that consent is necessary for the retention of organs following a Coroner’s post mortem examination (CPM) and that the consent must be obtained before the CPM is undertaken.
Unknown
73 — Explain need for hospital consent
Recommendation: Explaining the need for consent to carry out a hospital post mortem examination (HPM) and the retention of organs.
Unknown
72 — Explain reasons for post mortem
Recommendation: Ensuring that relatives have a full explanation of the reasons for post mortem examination including therapeutic, medical education and research.
Unknown
71 — Meeting with treating clinician
Recommendation: Encouraging a meeting between relatives and the treating clinician to explain the clinical circumstances of death and if requested arranging and attending the meeting.
Unknown
70 — Meeting with those present at death
Recommendation: Arranging and attending a meeting for relatives with anyone who was present at the death if requested.
Unknown