PITY II logo and contact information: PITY II, Stanley Community Centre, County Road, Walton, Liverpool, UK. Tel: +44 (0)151 285 0016. email: pity2uk@yahoo.co.uk

Link to Parents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
WHY?



Some of the images associated with the organ retention issues at Alder Hey Hopsital in Liverpool, UK

 
Link to Alan Milburn's [Secretary of State for Health] Speech to the House of Commons [UK Government] on the 30th of January 2001

email PITY II
email PITY II

Today's Date

PITY II

Fax Your MP

 P
I
T
Y
II

P
I
T
Y
II
animated presentation of the words "Never Again!"

The Queen's Speech - 26/11/2003

The Queen at the State Opening of ParliamentWhilst the government's law-making programme was being outlined in the Queen's Speech today, it was announced that a Bill would be published to make the 'removal, storage and use' of human tissue, without properly informed consent, illegal.

The law will be overseen by the, soon to be established, Human Tissue Authority; which will be responsible for regulating all aspects related to human tissue - including post-mortems and scientific research.

John Reid MP - Secretary of State for HealthAlthough the Bill is the only legislation submitted by John Reid MP, the Secretary of State for Health, his ministerial responsibility, the Department of Health, said that it was necessary as it is "clear that the current law in this area is not comprehensive, nor as clear or as consistent as it might be".

It was further stated that consent will be "the fundamental principal underpinning the lawful removal, retention and use of human bodies, body parts, organs and tissue".

Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical OfficerThe new laws, in fact, require explicit consent and they will overhaul the 1961 Human Tissue Act; described by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Donaldson, as "manifestly inadequate and out of date".

Andrew Lansley MP - Shadow Health SecretaryShadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley MP, stated that "the pressing need for legislation was apparent three years ago [and it is] vital now to proceed with legislation but, to command confidence, must include further opportunities for full public consultation. […] In securing the passage of the Bill, we must ensure the fullest possible involvement of groups [such as PITY II] representing families affected by past organ retentions".

The new legislation will be aimed at preventing a repeat of the scandals such as those at Alder Hey hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary by regulating the retention of human tissue after death. Let us hope that our mission statement of 'Never Again!' will, at last, be fulfilled and adhered to.

PITY II (Parents who have Interred Their Young Twice) is the parents' support group set up in the wake of the organ retention scandal
at Alder Hey Hospital (Liverpool, UK). It aims to provide self help support and advice to affected families.


Keywords: PITY II, pity II, pity ii, PITY 2, PITY2, pity 2, pity2, Never Again, never again, DNA, Myrtle Street, poem, poetry, honouring the memory, memorial, Law Reform, Liverpool, liverpool, organ, retention, alder hey, heart, inquiry, Redfern, redfern, scandal, support, children, Retained Organs Commission, ROC, coroners, Litigation & Mediation

1