A grieving family is launching a formal complaint after Medway Maritime Hospital took a week to release the body of an 83-year-old great-gran.

Cherie Hume’s mother Rita Hancock got pneumonia and passed away on Monday, September 22 after three days in hospital.

According to the hospital’s own guidance it is expected to take two days to complete the necessary paperwork, including a doctor’s certificate, allowing a body to be released to the funeral director.

But the family were forced to wait until Monday, delaying their chance to pay their last respects.

Son-in-law Brian Hume said: “It was a very distressing experience for us all, but especially Cherie.”

Mrs Hancock lived at the Aquarius Residential Care Home in Chatham, and did not require a post mortem examination.

Mr Hume, 58, of Cuxton Road, Strood, added: “We were calling every day to find out what was happening and nobody could give us any answers or explanation as to why it was taking this long.

"First the papers weren’t ready then the doctor wasn’t available at that time.

“Eventually on Friday they told us the paperwork hadn’t been completed because her doctor had not been in all week.

“They should have told us that was going to be the case at the start of the week rather than leaving us in the dark to worry, at what is already a very upsetting time.

“I wonder whether this is just our bad luck or if there is a mortuary full of bodies not being released to their families because there is no one to sign off the paperwork?”

The family were also “disappointed” with other aspects of Mrs Hancock’s care, which will be raised in their complaint.

“I wonder whether this is just our bad luck or if there is a mortuary full of bodies not being released to their families" - Brian Hume

This includes staff taking more than seven hours to contact Mrs Hume when her mother’s condition deteriorated substantially at 2am on the day of her death.

A spokeswoman for the hospital trust said: “We extend our deepest sympathy to the late Mrs Hancock’s family at this difficult time and apologise they have experienced a delay.

"Legally, only a doctor who has been part of a patient’s care is able to sign the relevant documentation.

"It is not unusual for short delays and everything that can be done, is always done to ensure documents are available as soon as possible.”

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