Human organs inquiry line launched

A telephone enquiry line which will provide information to members of the public about human organs and tissue retained after post mortem examination, was launched today.

The line, known as the Human Organs Enquiry line, will be operated by the Parents Advice Centre on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Launching the line today, Paul Simpson, Deputy Secretary at the Department, said: “This new facility is an important public service that will help relatives with concerns about the retention of human organs and tissues."

The decision to set up the enquiry line stems from recommendations in the Report of the Human Organs Inquiry published in June. The Report argued that having one central enquiry point about retained organs tissue would make it much easier for members of the public who had concerns arising from the disclosures about post mortems.

Paying tribute to the work of the Relatives Reference Group, Mr Simpson said: “The Department has been delighted to collaborate with the Relatives’ Reference Group and the Parents Advice Centre on this venture. Their work with relatives since March 2001 has helped to build bridges between relatives, hospitals, coroners, state pathology and Queen’s University.”

Pip Jaffa, of the Parent’s Advice Centre, said: “I welcome the opportunity to work with the Department in operating this line. I commend the line to anyone with concerns about organ or tissue retention and hope that it will help allay any distress they may feel.”

The line was demonstrated by Miss Catherine Scullion, Enquiry Line Operator, who explained the procedures in dealing with enquiries and the importance of having co-operation across the board, from state pathology, hospitals, coroners and Queen’s University.

Mrs Natalie Magee, a relative affected by organ retention, welcomed the enquiry line and spoke of its importance in assuring that relatives have a central point of contact for accessing information.

(GMcG)