Baby organ removal is 'general practice'

A nationwide inquiry into the removal of dead children's organs without the knowledge of parents has been extended, the Department of Health in England announced yesterday.

Teaching hospitals including the famous St James' Hospital in Leeds will be part of an investigation into "organ retention" across English NHS trusts.

The move follows the announcement last week of a separate public inquiry into the practice at Europe's biggest children's hospital, the Alder Hey in Liverpool. Its "library" of some 2000 child hearts was allegedly built up during the time that consultant pathologist Professor Dick van Velzen headed the Alder Hey's post-mortem team.

But as Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced the investigation into the Alder Hey, it emerged that the practice was in general use at a series of high-profile hospitals until a matter of months ago.

Trusts in Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool confirmed earlier this year that they routinely removed organs from dead children. A subsequent survey of teaching hospitals has found similar procedures were being carried out across the country.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Alder Hey inquiry has been launched specifically to address the issues in Liverpool. In the meantime a separate investigation is looking at the general issue of organ retention by all NHS trusts. These latest claims will come under that remit."

The inquiry will centre on consent forms allowing hospitals to retain "tissue" from post-mortem examinations.

The Scottish Executive said there is no suggestion that the practice is used in Scotland.

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