Temporary mortuary to be activated in Basingstoke
Specialist advice leads Hampshire County Council to offer support
A temporary mortuary located in Basingstoke, will become operational on Thursday, 21 January 2021.
The site, in Winklebury, will support the four major NHS hospital mortuaries in the wider Hampshire region, as well as local funeral directors, by providing temporary additional accommodation of hospital and community deaths.
This decision to make the site operable has been made by specialists on behalf of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum to ensure additional capacity is immediately available, to ease current and anticipated pressures within the sector.
Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council, John Coughlan said:
“While our hospitals and funeral sector are currently coping, we are regrettably seeing significant pressures within the system. We have therefore decided that it is prudent now to open the temporary mortuary to ensure that we are able to carefully manage and respond to any increase in demand for additional capacity.
“I would like to reassure the families and friends of those who may be accommodated temporarily at this facility that their loved ones will be afforded every possible care, dignity and respect, and that we have been liaising closely with faith leaders to ensure required customs and practices are observed. Although next of kin are not able to visit the temporary mortuary, the administrative team on site will provide support and guidance via a dedicated family helpline which is operated by experienced Bereavement Services staff.
“I am sure we all understand why this step is now necessary. There can be no sadder or stronger reminder of our collective need to follow the rules and keep ourselves and others safe.
There had been objections to the location of the mortuary in a residential area but Mr Coughlan said:
“We can also reassure residents that the highest standards of discretion and public safety are being maintained at all times on site."
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