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 The BBC's Jon Kay"They say they did not give their consent"  real 28k  Lord Hunt, Health Minister"We want to make sure we learn the lessons"  real 28kProf Liam Donaldson"The present arrangements for giving consent are not adequate." real 28k |
Organ laws may be tightened
Alder Hey hospital parents' group wants a public inquiry |
New laws on the removal of organs from patients' bodies may be needed after hospitals admitted taking them without consent from relatives, England's chief medical officer has said.
"We need to have a wider look at the situation. It may need some change to the legislation," Professor Liam Donaldson told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.
Prof Donaldson: Concerns over health service practices |
"There is a big difference between what over the years has developed as a practice within the health service, and what public expectations and concerns are."
Many parents, he said, had not understood the "full implications" when signing consent forms.
The government has announced an independent inquiry into allegations that Alder Hey Hospital in Merseyside acted improperly by removing organs from dead children who died between 1988 and 1995.
 We want it clarified, to have it a criminal offence  |
| Parent Joan Wheeler |
Group chairman Joan Wheeler said: "We want a full independent public inquiry. There is a lot that has gone on at Alder Hey ... it has to be broadened and widened.
"We want to know why my son's organs were sitting there, and all the others, what they were used for, and why we weren't informed about it.
"There is no law. We want it clarified, to have it a criminal offence for anybody to take organs without the express, informed consent of the parent or next of kin."
Widespread confusion
A BBC survey revealed that seven of the 10 biggest NHS trusts in England removed organs or samples from children's bodies without their parents' consent until very recently.
Kayleigh Valentine's death is to be investigated |
A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it had removed confusion over the word tissue, which in medical terms includes organs - a fact not known to many parents.
But the trust, which includes Leeds General Infirmary and St James' Hospital, said there would be parents in the area who did not realise that their child had organs removed.
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The seven hospitals |
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University Hospital, Birmingham |
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United Bristol Healthcare |
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United Teaching Hospital, Leeds |
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Hammersmith Hospital |
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Southampton University Hospital |
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King's Healthcare, London |
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Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle |
"There was a review of procedures at all the major teaching hospitals earlier this year in the light of the Bristol inquiry but we had been operating this new policy for some time before that," said a spokesman.
Last October Alder Hey Hospital, which had already admitted collecting the hearts of 2,087 children, revealed it had found 850 stored organs of which neither doctors nor parents were aware.
The government inquiry was launched after Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello said he was re-opening inquiries into the death of baby Kayleigh Valentine, who died nine years ago at the hospital.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Alder Hey inquiry has been launched specifically to address the issues in Liverpool and restore public confidence in the hospital.
"In the meantime, a separate investigation is looking at the general issue of organ retention by all NHS trusts. These latest claims will come under that remit."
Pathologist: 'I am no villain'
The pathologist at the centre of the Alder Hey controversy has defended his role.
Professor Dick van Velzen told the Daily Express: "I have nothing wrong.
"I have been devastated by this. I have dedicated my life to helping children. Now I have been portrayed as some sort of villain and I am nothing of the sort."
Professor van Velzen said the organs were kept because tests had to be done to establish the cause of death.
"Unfortunately the hospital ran out of money so the work could not be completed."
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See also: |
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03 Dec 99 | Health |
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Organ removal: the legal background |
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03 Dec 99 | Health |
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Organ stripping: The reaction |
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04 Dec 99 | Health |
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Doctor's 'life of helping children' |
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03 Dec 99 | Health |
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Inquiry into organ scandal |
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07 Oct 99 | Health |
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Child organ stockpile prompts inquiry |
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27 Sep 99 | Health |
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Hospital will return children's hearts |
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16 Jul 99 | Health |
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Organ donor reform rejected |
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Internet links: |
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British Organ Donor Society |
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Department of Health |
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Bulletin of Medical Ethics |
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