email PITY II

Today's Date

The Chair Writes

It has been more than six months since we formed as a support group so I thought it might be a good idea if we pause briefly and take stock of our achievements.

November - the group meets for the first time - over 100 parents attend and call for anindependent and full public inquiry. Liverpool City Council supports this.

December - the recently appointed Liverpool Coroner announces new inquests will be opened on some of the children affected by organ retention. He calls the retention of organs 'unlawful'. On the same day the Secretary of State for Health, Mr Alan Milburn, (pictured right) sets up an independent, but not public, inquiry into the issue of organ retention at Alder Hey.

The Chief Medical Officer (pictured left) writes to all hospitals nationally to ask about the extent of organ retention. After a visit from some parents, Bishop James Jones (the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool) pledges his support.

Goodman's Solicitors are appointed as group solicitors to deal with the Inquiry on our behalf, and parents start talks with them concerning the terms of reference. Knowsley, St. Helens and Sefton Councils support the call for a public inquiry. The hospital publishes their internal report carried out by an independent pathologist which is critical of the practice at Alder Hey. The group sets up a small committee.

January - A well-known BBC health correspondent reveals that tissue samples have been retained by the hospital without parental knowledge or consent, before the return of organs. The Chief Executive, Hilary Rowland goes on TV holding up microscopic slides and saying she doesn't know what all the fuss is about. Afterviewing the samples parents reveal that more than is seen on the slides is being kept.

Bishop Jones gets support for the group from other religious leaders. At a mass meeting of the parents a call is made for the demolition of the Myrtle Street building where a considerable number of children's organs have been retained and stored for many years; without parental knowledge or consent..

A 'Close Up North' programme is made about the scandal with an interview with Professor Van Velzen (pictured right), and a studio discussion including a very impressive contribution from Ed Bradley (left), PITY II's press officer.

February - A group of local MPs attend a meeting with parents and offer their support. The group approves a constitution and larger committee. After it is revealed Alder Hey has disposed of a set of organs the Chief Medical Officer writes to all hospitals ordering that no organs are disposed of until his review of the extent of organ retention is complete.

The Home Office changes the law so that the organs of children who were buried can be cremated. Panorama makes a programme about organ retention. The committee attend an opening presentation by the Inquiry Team.

March - The committee and legal representatives meet the Inquiry Team. Liverpool City Council agrees to support the call for the demolition of Myrtle Street - a moratorium is placed on the building so that it cannot be sold or the lease exchanged.

The Chairman of the Trust is sacked by the health minister, Lord Hunt, who takes a personal interest in the organ retention issue. Other resignations are called for, and the Chief Executive, Hilary Rowland, and Acting Director of Operations, Karen England are sent on extended leave.

The hospital holds a series of meetings with parents to revise the post mortem consent forms.

April - The new trust Chairman, Judith Greensmith, meets with the committee. Among many issues, the dignified treatment of the remaining organs is discussed.

A Serious Incident Project Board is set up by the hospital, and they agree to PITY II's request for two representatives from the group, not one. An ex mortuary attendant from Fazakerley Hospital comes forward with information he wants to become public. He is urged to speak to Ian Cohen and take his evidence to the Inquiry.

May - the full horror of the scale of organs retained from some children becomes evident. One of the parents affected from Preston camps outside Alder Hey for 8 days in protest. As a result of the publicity around the new revelations the hospital requests a meeting with the committee, and the helpline invite other angry parents who phoned. Kate Jackson the new Project Manager meets with the committee.

Joan Wheeler, Chair PITY II.

 

---

top of the page
Home | Latest News | FAQ | Kidz for Kidz | Calendar | Poets Corner | Contacts/Links | email PITY II