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Today's Date

The Moratorium

The moratorium - the ban on information being given out by Alder Hey (and other hospitals) - has now been lifted.

This means that the hundreds of people who rang the helpline after the Redfern Report was published will now start to get answers to their questions. Although around 2,000 people rang the hospital, the vast majority of those will get the good news that they were not involved in organ retention. Although the hospital started to tell people the news as soon as they could, because of the numbers involved it will take a few weeks to get to them all.

The moratorium has only been lifted so far for information. The release of organs is still on hold, as Alder Hey is waiting to hear from some other hospitals and national collections if there are any blocks and slides there. They do not want people to go ahead with second funerals, to then be told that blocks and slides have been located elsewhere.

The only exceptions to this are if there are very important reasons why families cannot wait - for example if the child's birthday or date of death are approaching and the family want the funeral on that date. If this is the case, the hospital will speak to the Retained Organs Commission to get permission for the organs to be released.

Before the moratorium was lifted, the Retained Organs Commission had to be satisfied that the information that was being given out was as accurate as it could be. A representative from Liverpool Health Authority carried out a thorough review of the information, and a physical search of relevant buildings. The Regional Office of the NHS Executive then checked this report, before contacting the Retained Organs Commission.

Many of those who are involved have contacted PITY II. Although we do our best to provide support when people need it, and to get information out to people, remember that we are parents too, who are volunteers. If you leave a message, someone will get back to you.

Consumers in NHS Research
This organisation has been in touch with PITY II, because they work with researchers and consumers to influence the ethics of practice, and trying to break down medical paternalism. They promote greater consumer involvement in health research.

Roger Steel, the Development Worker has been following the Alder Hey saga with interest, and is keen to learn the lessons of Alder Hey to influence their work with consumer groups and the NHS. Roger is hoping to come and talk to the committee, and if there is interest would be willing to set up some kind of event in Liverpool, working with the parents. In the meantime, if you want more information on their work, you can ring Roger on 01962 872212.

 

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