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![Link to Alan Milburn's [Secretary of State for Health] Speech to the House of Commons [UK Government] on the 30th of January 2001](../images/report2.gif) |
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It was good to visit Liverpool again recently - and take the opportunity to once again meet members of PITY II. I do appreciate what you are doing to support families who have been affected by organ retention, and I am grateful that many of you made the time available to meet me. The Government has made absolutely clear that substantial changes will be made in the way we manage the removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue. Current laws are simply inadequate; they leave too many loopholes and uncertainties. We shall shortly be seeking views on detailed changes to the law. It is vital that future legislation protects the rights and consent of individuals and families. We must ensure that, if people break the law, they can be punished for doing so. We are implementing a number of other recommendations by the Chief Medical Officer [Liam Donaldson], which take into account the findings of the Redfern Report into the events at Alder Hey: We set up immediately the Retained Organs Commission. Your Treasurer, Jan Robinson, is a valued member of the Commission's Board. The Commission's role is to act as an advocate for families, to manage the delicate process of returning organs held in the NHS, and to provide advice to the Government on how these matters should be regulated in the future. Many of you will have seen the Commission's recent consultation document that seeks views on important aspects of its work. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has established a review of the coroners system. We are keeping in close touch with that and I know that Tom Luce, who is leading the review, has met members of PITY II. The Department of Health is developing an interim framework, in advance of new legislation, to ensure that proper consent is sought for post mortems carried out in hospitals and for any removal, retention or use of organs and tissue. We have recently been seeking views on the relevant forms and leaflets, and also on a code of practice that will advise NHS staff about how to handle this delicate process. The detailed comments received from PITY II have been very helpful. Finally we are committed to improving bereavement services generally. You will find updates on progress on our webpage: www.doh.gov.uk/tissue. I know that my officials, with whom you already have a good working relationship, will be keeping in touch with you on all these matters. Thank you again
for what you have done so far. We all have a duty to learn the lessons
of what happened. I can assure you that this is a duty, as Secretary
of State, I take very seriously indeed. ALAN MILBURN
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II (Parents who have Interred Their Young Twice) is the parents' support
group set up in the wake of the organ retention scandal
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Article
from Alan Milburn for PITY II