Even mortuary slabs are now super-sized

AN oversize mortuary tray, beds that can take 70-stone patients and industrial-strength hoists have all been bought by hospitals in a bid to cope with Scotland’s obesity epidemic.

According to documents obtained by The Scottish Mail on Sunday, hospitals are spending tens of thousands a year on facilities for the very overweight.

With almost two-thirds of adults in Scotland considered overweight, including a third who are obese, hospitals must ensure they have equipment strong enough to cope.

Every major hospital in Scotland now has access to beds which can take patients weighing up to half a ton.

Shetland’s health board even invested in an extra big mortuary tray, worried its existing facilities were not strong enough.