Today, the independent inquiry into the issues raised by the actions of David Fuller has published its phase 2 and final report. It focuses on whether procedures and practices in hospital and non-hospital settings sufficiently safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased and would prevent a recurrence of the issues identified by the inquiry, as well as considering the role of regulation.
I wish to pass my thanks on to any individual or organisation who has provided evidence to this important independent inquiry. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and assure them that we are committed to learning from these events.
In 2023, the independent inquiry, chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, published its phase 1 report, which set out how Fuller was able to commit such shocking crimes, undetected for so long at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust. The trust set out its progress implementing all the inquiry s recommendations via an assurance statement in February 2024.
A phase 2 interim report was published in October 2024. The inquiry’s chair expedited the inquiry’s work on the funeral sector in light of reports of cases of neglect. The interim report presented preliminary findings and recommendations on the funeral sector in England. The Government committed to responding to these recommendations as part of the final phase two Government response.
The overall conclusion of today’s final report is that current arrangements for the care of people after death are partial, ineffective and in some areas completely lacking. The overarching recommendation for Government is that there should be statutory regulation to protect the security and dignity of people after death, regardless of the setting or institution.
Today’s report makes 75 detailed recommendations in total, including 19 for trusts and 25 for local authorities focusing on access, dignity, security, and wider processes and procedures to protect deceased individuals. A smaller number of recommendations—31—focus on independent hospitals, medical education, hospices, ambulance services, care homes, the funeral sector and faith organisations, making specific recommendations to improve the care of the deceased. This includes recommendations for the UK Government to establish an independent statutory regulatory regime for the funeral sector.
Every deceased individual deserves to receive the highest standard of care and dignity. The Government will work to ensure this is the case, across all settings, be that in the NHS or other settings including local authority mortuaries, hospices, ambulance services, care homes, funeral homes, and faith organisations.
The Government recognise the urgency of the concerns raised by the inquiry’s recommendations and will respond at pace. This will include an interim update on progress this year and a final response by summer 2026.
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