Families sue over organ removal

Ben Mallia had a rare brain condition

Families suing the NHS for the unauthorised removal of their dead children's' organs go to the High Court on Monday.

More than 2,000 individual claimants are asking for compensation for the trauma they suffered.

Ben Mallia, of Stanningfield in Suffolk, had a rare brain condition and died of pneumonia in 1997.

Some of his organs were removed by Addenbrookes Hospital without parental permission during his autopsy, and his parents are suing.

His mother, June Pyne, said: "I owe it to myself. I don't want to be 70 years old sitting in a rocking chair saying 'Why didn't they answer this'? I need it to be answered."

They weren't told what was happening, and they feel that the hospital acted without regard for their feelings. Ben Dures, solicitor representing the Adams family

Addenbrooke's Hospital has returned Ben's brain but would not comment on the case.

Managers said their current procedures follow proper guidelines under the law.

Tracy and Richard Adams from Hockwold, near Thetford in Norfolk lost their twin daughters in 1996.

They say doctors at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge did not ask before taking the girls' organs.

Ben Dures, their solicitor, said: "They weren't told what was happening, and they feel that the hospital acted without regard for their feelings.

Offer rejected

"They mutilated the bodies of their children and took the organs out without telling them what they were doing and why they were doing it."

The government is currently introducing new laws to ban the retention of organs without consent in the wake of the Alder Hey scandal.

The families, from all over the UK, have reportedly rejected an offer of £1,000 each from the NHS.

The families of children whose organs were removed at Alder Hey hospital were last year awarded £5,000 each.