Organ inquiry inadequate, parents say

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Relatives of children whose organs were removed at a British hospital without consent say the report into the issue did not go far enough.

Parent Ed Bradley, chairman of the families' support group Pity II, said the report into Alder Hey Hospital which highlighted the work of pathologist Professor Dick van Velzen between 1988 and 1995 was inadequate.

Bradley, speaking at a press conference after the release of the report by Health Secretary Alan Milburn, said: "The report has not answered all our questions."

He said autopsies carried out before 1988 and after 1995 -- the years covered by the inquiry -- should also have been investigated.

Parent Tracey Brannan agreed with him, saying children born in the 1960s, 70s, or 80s could also have had body parts removed without parental consent.

Bradley also questioned the extent pharmaceutical companies played in purchasing body parts and tissue for research.

"We would like to stress that parents generally are not against medical research, but that research must be carried out only with the full knowledge and consent of relatives.

"And it is up to the medical profession to ensure that that individual completely understands the nature and implications of that consent."

Bradley said parents had been "betrayed" by both the past and present management of Alder Hey hospital.

"Parents now demand honesty and transparency from Alder Hey and the university," he added.

He said for parents who had suffered through the "enormous grief" of losing a child, it was an added insult to discover that organs had been stripped.

The British parliament was earlier told by Milburn that well over 2,000 children's hearts, a large number of brain parts, eyes taken from foetuses, over 1,500 stillbirths of foetuses and a number of children's heads and bodies had been stored by the hospital.

Alder Hey acting chief executive Tony Bell apologised for the "enormous distress caused to parents and their families, staff and the local community."

He said the trust board "deeply" regretted the "mistakes" highlighted in the report and took "full responsibility for what has happened."

The board would study the report in detail to determine what action to take.

"Clearly, however, changes must be made, particularly in the way we involve parents in decisions about their children."

Bell said that with the help of parents and staff changes have already been made.

He added: "We will never forget the experience of the past year. The trust board will ensure that nothing like it ever happens again."

"Now for the sake of the thousands of children we care for we must look to the future."

Organs scandal hospital under fire
January 30, 2001

Alder Hey Children's Hospital Website
Royal Liverpool Children's Inquiry

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