KEEP PAYING FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE!

3.45.38pm GMT Mon 18th Jan 2010

Local doctors receive thousands in 'ash cash' payments

Doctors working in local hospitals earned thousands last year in so-called 'ash payments' made by grieving relatives. Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that almost £15million was earned nationally last year by doctors signing a form releasing a body for cremation.

Doctors in Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospitals received £39,973, while those at Frimley Park received £62,338 (figures for Royal Berks were not available). Although this is a long-standing and established practice, taking money off bereaved families cannot be justified when it involves nothing beyond doctors' normal working hours.

The NHS is meant to care for people from the cradle to the grave but these charges undermine that principle. The Government must take action to put an end to this practice as soon as possible as it simply cannot be justified.

Commenting on the charges, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell, Ray Earwicker, said 'doctors currently receive £73.50 for each cremation form they sign on top of their NHS salaries. Given the extremely favourable changes that have been made to their contracts under this Labour Government, there was absolutely no need for these charges to be levied.

Coupled with the increased crematorium charges that Bracknell Forest Council is planning to impose, as part of its efforts to produce a balanced budget for 2010/11 (some will rise by 14%), it is clear there are easy pickings to be had in death as well as life'.

Notes to Editors

1. Before a deceased person can be cremated, two certificates stating the cause of death have to signed; see www.justice.gov.uk/about/docs/cremation-doctors-guidance.pdf

2. Normally, the undertaker arranges for the certificates to be signed; see http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/fees/mafees.jsp?page=4