THE Royal Liverpool Children's Inquiry has outlined the following points which, if acted upon, should ensure there is never a repeat of the Alder Hey scandal:
Changes to the 1961 Human Tissue Act to clarify the fact that parents of dead children must give consent to the removal and retention or organs.
A code of practice to set out required standards of communication between hospitals and families about post mortem examinations.
A standard NHS consent form to obtain consent for post mortem examinations and a separate document which relatives would sign agreeing to the removal and retention of tissue and organs.
New powers for relatives to limit the extent of hospital post mortem examinations to, for instance, specific organs, and to limit what can be retained, for what purpose parts can be used and for how long.
The setting up of an independent commission to oversee the proper return of retained organs to families who request it.
A fundamental shift in emphasis from the idea of retention to one of donation to signal a new relationship between doctors and patients.
Families who agree to organs and body parts being retained should be invited to prepare a "life book" on their loved one, giving details of the person's life that medical students could be shown in order to ensure that the dead are not treated as "dehumanised objects".
Better education of medical students and doctors on the law and standards of practice.
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