Tag: inspections

Scottish Government: New regulations to improve funeral standards

Inspections to increase public confidence

Inspections and other measures will promote the highest standards of care and increase public confidence in the funeral sector under draft regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament.

The Burial and Cremation (Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, if approved, will ensure minimum standards are maintained to safeguard the dignity of the deceased and promote compassionate and professional care for the bereaved.

Inspectors will support any non-compliant business to make the changes needed but can issue enforcement notices with reasonable deadlines for action if necessary.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Bereavement can be emotionally overwhelming and being able to engage with the practical issues and funeral arrangements can be very difficult. It is, however, something everyone is likely to experience at some stage in their life, whether it’s the death of a family member, a loved one, or a friend.

“The vast majority of funeral directors and the wider industry provide dignified and professional services, and these reforms will benefit the sector by ensuring it is not unfairly impacted by the failings of a few.

“These reforms have received widespread support within the industry and we will appoint additional inspectors to work with the sector to ensure best practice. Publishing inspection reports will lead to greater transparency and can help improve standards.

“Having confidence in the care and dignity given to our loved ones, along with the compassionate and professional treatment of those bereaved, can go some way to alleviating the sorrow of bereavement.”

RAAC in NHS Lothian: ‘discovery surveys’ to follow desktop exercise

There have been reports in the media that some buildings in the NHS Estate across Scotland may have been constructed using Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). This material, which was widely in use between 1960 and 1980, was used mainly for components such as roof and floor planks. It is known to be weaker than other forms of concrete and its use was phased out in the 1990’s.

Work is underway at a national level to check and risk assess all NHS buildings which may potentially contain RAAC.

As part of that work, NHS Lothian has identified those candidate buildings in our Estate and supplied the information to NHS Scotland Assure. We have identified the following buildings as requiring investigation:

• Bonnyrigg Health Centre

• Lauriston Building

• Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion

• Royal Edinburgh Hospital – Cullen/River Centre Extension

• Royal Edinburgh Hospital – Link Corridor/X-Ray

• Stoneyburn Health Centre

• Tranent Medical Practice

• Western General Hospital – Gas Store

It is worth noting that the risk assessment that took place by NHS Scotland Assure was based on a desktop exercise and does not confirm the presence of RAAC within our buildings.

The next stage of the process will be for discovery surveys to be undertaken by an independent contractor appointed by NHS Assure to confirm or rule out the presence of RAAC within our buildings. This is a national process and the surveys are scheduled to be carried out in Lothian in the Autumn.

The output of these surveys will provide further information on any recommended remedial actions. This work is precautionary and not the result of any known issues in any of our buildings.