Parents fight to retrieve organs

Tougher laws will follow the Alder Hey organs scandal

The mother of a girl who was swept out to sea on a school trip to Wales says her daughter's body organs were among those retained without consent by staff at the Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.

Lynne Zielinski, from Tividale near Sandwell in the Midlands, said she was horrified to discover various organs from 10-year-old Laura's drowned body were removed without her permission during a post mortem at the children's hospital.

Some parents have had their children exhumed. We do not want this. Just let them send us what they have

Lynne Zielinski

Laura, a talented British ballroom dancer, got into difficulties while swimming near Shell Island, near Barmouth, on a trip with 31 fellow pupils from Christ Church Junior School in Oldbury four years ago.

Mrs Zielinski and her husband Patrick have now launched a legal battle against Alder Hey hospital in an attempt to get Laura's organs returned.

Lynne, of Temple Way, said finding out that Laura's organs had been retained when news of the Alder Hey scandal first broke last year had come as a double blow.

She said: "At first when I heard about what was happening at Alder Hey I thought: 'Shall I leave well alone?' - but I needed to know."

Her inquiries confirmed her worst fears.

Blessing ceremony

Along with hundreds of other parents, The Zielinskis have begun civil litigation proceedings against Alder Hey.

"We want Laura's organs returned," Mrs Zielinski said.

"Some parents have had their children exhumed. We do not want this. Just let them send us what they have."

The couple plan to have Laura's organs interred at her grave in Heath Lane cemetery during a blessing ceremony carried out by the family priest.

A spokesman for Alder Hey Hospital, which was at the centre of a Westminster report into the retention of child organs, said the hospital did not comment on individual cases.