THE body of a much-loved grandmother was left in a funeral parlour for almost a week while doctors delayed signing off her death note.

Distraught family members say they were unable to say their goodbyes to grandmother of 24 Sharelle McKenzie when they wanted to as funeral parlour bosses could not begin the process of readying the 73-year-old’s body for viewing and cremation without a doctor’s signature.

While the family could have seen Sharelle’s body, they were advised by funeral directors to wait until she had been dressed and placed in a coffin.

Daughter Lynsey Chilley blasted Great Western Surgery for the delays in getting a GP out to sign the cremation note. She said: “It’s like they’re not bothered.”

Great Western Surgery bosses have expressed their condolences to Sharelle’s family, but said their staff followed national rules intended to ensure checks and reviews were carried out by the most appropriate medical professional.

Sharelle died on July 4 at Elizabeth House, a sheltered housing block in Walcot. The family say they waited for a week for the death certificate to be signed. Because her family intended to cremate her body, another doctor’s signature was required for a cremation form.

Lynsey claims a doctor from surgery was meant to visit a Cricklade Road funeral parlour on Monday last week, but later phoned to say they would not be able to send a doctor until Wednesday.

They cancelled that appointment too, suggesting there may be further delays.

The 41-year-old from Badbury Park told the Advertiser: “The surgery needs to step up. This is a family that is grieving for our mum and we can’t say goodbye. We were told by the funeral home it’s best not to see her.

“It’s like the surgery is not bothered. They are showing no compassion or support. They don’t care. They have failed my mum.

“My mum was lying in a cold freezer because this surgery won’t do the job they are meant to do. I am so upset.”

Great Western Surgery eventually sent a doctor to sign the cremation forms last Thursday, two weeks after Sharelle died.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Carfax Health Enterprise, which manages the Great Western Surgery in Farriers Close, said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the McKenzie family at this upsetting time.

“In every aspect of their work, our highly trained staff will always follow national guidelines and regulations, which are in place to ensure that all necessary checks and reviews – especially those surrounding the death of a patient – are carried out by the most appropriate person, usually a doctor who has recently cared for the patient.”

“We are more than happy to have a private discussion with the family about any concerns they have and would encourage them to contact the Patient Advice and Complaints Team on 0300 200 8844.”Despite Great Western Surgery eventually visiting the funeral home, Lynsey said she wanted to speak out to prevent other families from having to go through the same experience. She also paid tribute to her mother, saying: “Mum was brilliant. In her younger years she brought up six kids. She’s been through so much.”