Hospital sued over organ scandal

Families of dead children whose organs were removed or retained without permission have started legal action against the hospital where their loved ones died.

Families of dead children whose organs were removed or retained without permission have started legal action against the hospital where their loved ones died.

Four families are to sue the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital in Birmingham for the unlawful removal, retention and disposal of human tissue and for misleading them as to the extent of the practice.

Their action follows a report by an independent pathologist which revealed that the matter was far worse that the hospital conceded when the problem was discovered last year.

The scandal in Birmingham comes after revelations that children's organs were also removed at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital and the recent children's heart scandal at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Richard Follis, of solicitors Irwin Mitchell, who are acting for 30 families of children treated at the hospital, said: "Families are angry and feel they have been deceived.

"The families in the north west of England have been given an independent inquiry into the practices at the Alder Hey Hospital.

"There is no public inquiry into the events at Birmingham and families here feel forgotten compared to those in Bristol and Liverpool.

At a news conference in Birmingham today, Mr Follis said the test cases could name individuals, including pathologists, and were being brought to make the hospital accountable and prevent a repeat of such a situation.

Parents did not consider that they had been given accurate information about the scope of post-mortem examinations and felt that they had in some cases been pressurised into giving their consent, he added.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital last year said it had retained 1,500 organs since 1970.

A hospital spokeswoman said in a statement: "The Trust reiterates its apology to the families for the distress this matter has caused.

"We have done everything to meet the questions raised by families including the appointment of an independent pathologist.

"The Trust and Health Authority will deal with any litigation as and when we are told the terms and details of it.

"The Trust takes the view that legal action will be premature given the pending report from the Chief Medical Officer"