Criticism over organ removal response

Hospital discovered organs were retained after investigation

A health watchdog has sharply criticised the department of health's response to the organ removal controversy in Northern Ireland.

The Eastern Health Council said nothing short of a full, independent inquiry would satisfy the families of those affected.

The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry have admitted storing the organs of more than 400 babies without parental consent.

Until 1993, the Derry hospital - like many others - sent placentas to a cosmetics company to use in products. However, they did not ask for permission before the parts were removed.

Bairbre de Brun has turned down a request for an interview

The Eastern Health Council's chief officer, Jane Graham, said the department was ignoring the parents of children who had organs removed.

She has contacted the office of health minister Bairbre de Brun to register her concern.

"I have communicated my concerns to the department about how this is being handled and I know that they are looking at the figures," she said.

"But I'm not aware that they are actually talking to parents, and I'm urging them to do that."

On Wednesday, Ms de Brun turned down a request for an interview about the issue.

Meanwhile, Belfast City Hospital said it was co-operating fully with the province-wide survey being carried out by the chief medical officer into the organs controversy.

In a statement, the hospital added: "In recent years BCH has not retained any organs without consent.

"However it is possible that in the past organs may have been retained for a period strictly for the purposes of research and education.

"Our pathology records system relating to this period is by ledger and our investigation of these records is ongoing."

The latest furore over organ removal follows scandals at both Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and Bristol Royal Infirmary in England.