Phase 2 – The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case

In accordance with the terms of reference, Phase 2 of the Inquiry will look at the broader national picture and consider if procedures and practices in other hospital and non-hospital settings, where deceased people are kept, safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased, specifically:

Whether procedures and practices in hospital settings, including in the private sector, where bodies of the deceased are kept, safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased, and would prevent a recurrence of matters raised by the case of David Fuller.
Whether procedures and practices (including the use of locum Anatomical Pathology Technologists) in non-hospital settings, including local authority mortuaries, funeral directors, the NHS ambulance service, medical schools, temporary mortuaries, direct funeral companies and hospices, where bodies of the deceased are kept, safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased and would prevent a recurrence of matters raised by the case of David Fuller.
The role of regulators and their use of regulatory measures in assuring that mortuary practices safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased in all settings, and hence the effectiveness of the national regulatory regime.
Any other issues that arose during Phase 1 of the Inquiry.

The final report, looking at the broader national picture and the wider lessons for the NHS and for other settings, is now planned for publication in 2025.

Phase 2 launch

In July 2023, the Inquiry launched the first module of Phase 2 looking at the funeral sector. We are encouraging people who work in the traditional and direct funeral sector, private mortuaries and private ambulances across the country to get in touch with us, share their experiences and help us to understand what more can be done to prevent these atrocious crimes from ever happening again.

Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case launches Phase 2, 11 July 2023

Statement from Sir Jonathan Michael, Chair of the Inquiry:

“We are making good progress with the first phase of our Inquiry, and so today we are announcing the beginning of the second phase. We have received a wealth of evidence, during the first phase of the Inquiry, which relates specifically to the crimes committed by David Fuller in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. We are grateful to all the witnesses who have come forward to assist with this stage of the Inquiry, particularly the brave families who have shared their stories.”

“The Inquiry team are keen to keep moving at pace whilst remaining thorough in our work, therefore we are now beginning to look at the broader national picture to understand the procedures and practices across the country which are in place to protect the deceased. For this first module of the second phase of the Inquiry, we want to hear from funeral directors, and people who work in private mortuaries and private ambulances. We are encouraging people who work in these sectors across the country to get in touch with us, to share their experiences and help us to understand what more can be done to prevent these atrocious crimes from ever happening again.”

The Inquiry can be contacted by email at contact@fuller.independent-inquiry.uk or by calling 0207 972 1444.