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Lord Bonomy report on baby ashes recommends new laws Lord Bonomy report on baby ashes recommends new laws
(35 minutes later)
A report into the cremation of babies has recommended new laws and guidelines to protect bereaved families.A report into the cremation of babies has recommended new laws and guidelines to protect bereaved families.
The Infant Cremation Commission, chaired by Lord Bonomy, made 64 recommendations including an urgent review of cremation practices.The Infant Cremation Commission, chaired by Lord Bonomy, made 64 recommendations including an urgent review of cremation practices.
They include a statutory definition of ashes and regulation of cremation of babies of less than 24 weeks gestation.They include a statutory definition of ashes and regulation of cremation of babies of less than 24 weeks gestation.
The report said better records were needed in hospitals, funeral parlours and crematoria.The report said better records were needed in hospitals, funeral parlours and crematoria.
The lawyer of families affected said the report was welcomed but that no-one was being held responsible for what went wrong. The lawyer of families affected said the report was welcomed but said no-one was being held responsible for what went wrong.
Lord Bonomy has recommended a national code of practice for infant and baby cremations and said an independent inspector should be appointed to monitor working practices at crematoria.Lord Bonomy has recommended a national code of practice for infant and baby cremations and said an independent inspector should be appointed to monitor working practices at crematoria.
His report follows the discovery that the ashes of hundreds of babies were disposed of without their parents' knowledge.His report follows the discovery that the ashes of hundreds of babies were disposed of without their parents' knowledge.
'Further uncertainty''Further uncertainty'
The problem first emerged at Mortonhall in Edinburgh but there were also cases in Aberdeen, Fife and Glasgow.The problem first emerged at Mortonhall in Edinburgh but there were also cases in Aberdeen, Fife and Glasgow.
Families have been told they may never find out what happened to their babies' remains.Families have been told they may never find out what happened to their babies' remains.
Parents said they would continue their fight for a full public inquiry.Parents said they would continue their fight for a full public inquiry.
In Aberdeen earlier this month, a "serious allegation" concerning the "joint cremation of babies and adults" was made about Hazlehead Crematorium.In Aberdeen earlier this month, a "serious allegation" concerning the "joint cremation of babies and adults" was made about Hazlehead Crematorium.
New council chief executive Angela Scott said the findings of an earlier independent audit would now have to be reconsidered.New council chief executive Angela Scott said the findings of an earlier independent audit would now have to be reconsidered.
The council apologised for the "further uncertainty".The council apologised for the "further uncertainty".
The Institute of Cemetery and Cremation Management, which was represented on the commission, said defining what constituted ashes was fundamental to improving the cremation of babies.The Institute of Cemetery and Cremation Management, which was represented on the commission, said defining what constituted ashes was fundamental to improving the cremation of babies.
Chief executive Tim Morris said imposing new laws would remove different interpretations which existed across Scotland about the cremation practices appropriate for babies.Chief executive Tim Morris said imposing new laws would remove different interpretations which existed across Scotland about the cremation practices appropriate for babies.
Patrick McGuire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors which represents more than 200 families affected by the baby ashes scandal, said: "The families and myself welcome the publication of Lord Bonomy's report.Patrick McGuire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors which represents more than 200 families affected by the baby ashes scandal, said: "The families and myself welcome the publication of Lord Bonomy's report.
"He has handled an extremely difficult issue with sensitivity and diligence."He has handled an extremely difficult issue with sensitivity and diligence.
"However, the parameters Lord Bonomy had to work within means that no-one will be properly held to account for the awful breach of regulations that has been commonplace in many Scottish crematoria for decades."However, the parameters Lord Bonomy had to work within means that no-one will be properly held to account for the awful breach of regulations that has been commonplace in many Scottish crematoria for decades.
"For years, grieving parents were lied to and many will never know what happened to their babies' remains."For years, grieving parents were lied to and many will never know what happened to their babies' remains.
"So while we welcome these recommendations for the future conduct of crematoria staff, both the families and myself want a proper public inquiry so that those responsible for years of malpractice can be held to account publically.""So while we welcome these recommendations for the future conduct of crematoria staff, both the families and myself want a proper public inquiry so that those responsible for years of malpractice can be held to account publically."
Urgent stepsUrgent steps
The report states: "Death always evokes grief. To some it brings release and, to their families, relief from the distress of observing a loved one in decline and pain.The report states: "Death always evokes grief. To some it brings release and, to their families, relief from the distress of observing a loved one in decline and pain.
"For others, the grief and distress of suffering untimely bereavement can seem unbearable. That is particularly so for many who suffer the loss of a longed-for and much-loved baby at, or before, birth or in the early months of life."For others, the grief and distress of suffering untimely bereavement can seem unbearable. That is particularly so for many who suffer the loss of a longed-for and much-loved baby at, or before, birth or in the early months of life.
"To learn later of uncertainty about the existence and disposal of their babies' ashes has compounded the grief, caused further distress to many, and given rise to mixed emotions in others."To learn later of uncertainty about the existence and disposal of their babies' ashes has compounded the grief, caused further distress to many, and given rise to mixed emotions in others.
"That highlights the importance of taking steps urgently to ensure that future cremations of babies are handled with sensitivity that has due regard to the duty to lay their remains to rest as and where their families wish.""That highlights the importance of taking steps urgently to ensure that future cremations of babies are handled with sensitivity that has due regard to the duty to lay their remains to rest as and where their families wish."
Health minister Michael Matheson will respond to Lord Bonomy's recommendations in the Scottish Parliament.Health minister Michael Matheson will respond to Lord Bonomy's recommendations in the Scottish Parliament.
He is expected to tell MSPs how the government views the commission's recommendations.He is expected to tell MSPs how the government views the commission's recommendations.
Lord Bonomy was asked to look at cremation practices across the whole country.Lord Bonomy was asked to look at cremation practices across the whole country.
More than 250 families are thought to have been affected by the issue at Mortonhall.More than 250 families are thought to have been affected by the issue at Mortonhall.
Former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini reported on the situation there.Former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini reported on the situation there.
She concluded that some parents would never know the final resting place of their babies because the remains had been buried without their knowledge.She concluded that some parents would never know the final resting place of their babies because the remains had been buried without their knowledge.
The response from the public health minister can be watched live or later on demand, after topical questions, on BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.The response from the public health minister can be watched live or later on demand, after topical questions, on BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.