Couple bury wrong baby in mix-up

A couple's stillborn baby daughter was buried by the wrong parents after a mix-up at a hospital.

Carly Smith and Craig Windiate from Warndon in Worcester, said they were "appalled, shocked and outraged" at the mistake by mortuary staff.

Health officials at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital have apologised to the couple who are now considering legal action.

The baby girl was exhumed on Tuesday and has now been re-buried.

The second couple, who had initially buried Ms Smith's and Mr Windiate's daughter, had to carry out a second funeral once the mistake was discovered.

Mr Windiate said: "I was just shocked and devastated at how it had happened. I was just speechless."

'Internal investigation'

The mistake is believed to have been uncovered when funeral directors realised the body of the baby they had was not that of the couple's daughter.

John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We would like to repeat our unreserved apologies to the family for the distress they have suffered.

An internal investigation was launched immediately to discover why safeguards that were already in place had apparently not worked John Rostill, chief executive, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

"As soon as we realised what had happened, our patient services manager and the trust chaplain visited the family to explain, apologise and offer assistance and support.

"We have tried to do everything we can to reduce any further distress to the family.

"But we realise that for something like this to have occurred at what is already a very traumatic time will have added to their sorrow.

"An internal investigation was launched immediately to discover why safeguards that were already in place had apparently not worked.

"When the report from that investigation is ready, we have promised to share our findings with the family."