Several British hospitals are the subject of widespread criticism as it was exposed yesterday that thousands of fetal remains were incinerated as clinical waste, in some cases burned to produce energy for heating. Ten NHS trusts have admitted to participating in the 'totally unacceptable' practice, with a further 17 also thought to have disposed of fetal remains in the same way. 

The information was unearthed by the UK Channel 4 show Dispatches, which found that parents of miscarried babies were not often offered options for burial or cremation, with hospitals instead dealing with the remains as clinical waste - ostensibly informing parents that fetal remains are cremated, rather than incinerated. In some 15,500 cases, fetal remains were incinerated at hospital 'waste to energy' facilities at 27 NHS trusts.  

"This practice is totally unacceptable," said Health Minister Dr. Dan Poulter, in a damning screed against the participating hospitals. "While the vast majority of hospitals are acting in the appropriate way, that must be the case for all hospitals and the Human Tissue Authority has now been asked to ensure that it acts on this issue without delay."

Statistics reveal that one in seven UK pregnancies results in miscarriage, with an additional 4,000 stillbirths per year. 

Questions of how hospitals were able to conduct the sordid practice largely unnoticed also arose, with the British Care Quality Commission on the verge of launching an investigation of hospitals. Additionally, the NHS' Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has written to all NHS trusts on the instruction of Dr. Poulter, urging them to terminate the practice. "While it is acknowledged that incineration is not illegal across the UK, existing professional guidance makes clear that the practice is inappropriate," wrote Keogh. "I share the view that incineration of fetal remains is inappropriate practice and that other methods offer more dignity in these sensitive situations."

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, also expressed his disappointment. "I am disappointed trusts may not be informing or consulting women and their families," he said. "This breaches our standard on respecting and involving people who use services and I'm keen for Dispatches to share their evidence with us. We scrutinize information of concern and can inspect unannounced, if required."

One hospital, the Ipswich Hospital Trust, maintained innocence and expressed concern that its on-site incinerating facilities had apparently been used by another hospital to dispose of fetal remains. "The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust does not incinerate fetal remains," a spokesperson said.