26 families IN organ scandal
Daughter’s shock after police revelation
TWENTY-SIX families have been hit with the news that the organs of their deceased loved ones were stored for years without their knowledge.
Northumbria Police has now admitted the extent of the blunder, which saw body parts from victims of unexplained deaths kept for more than 20 years after their families believed they had laid their loved ones to rest.
The scandal came to light when Sarah Simpson, of Blakelaw, Newcastle, shared her anger after being informed by the force that her father’s brain and part of his heart had been unearthed during an audit at South Tyneside Hospital in 2015.
Sarah’s dad Terry died in 1995, and his family believed his body to be intact when they cremated him.
Police representatives say human tissue was stored for “investigative purposes”, and that systems are in place to stop anything similar happening again.
But Sarah, who is seeking compensation, said she was “shocked” at how many families had been affected.
She said: “They said to me it wasn’t a high number, so I really didn’t think it would be that many.
“I think they will be feeling horrified, really. I know I’ve been having terrible nightmares.”
Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “We understand the gravity of this situation and the devastating effect it has had on the families involved.
“The human tissue samples of cases that happened many years ago have been identified and we have specially trained officers contacting relatives of 26 people to inform them of this.
“We are doing this with the utmost sensitivity and it is our priority to make sure this is done as quickly and sympathetically as possible.”
Officers previously stated they were examining cases from across the force dating between 1991 and 2000.
Asst Chief Cons Jardine added: “We have taken this matter incredibly seriously and since this came to light have worked tirelessly to identify and speak to the families of those affected and are doing all we can to answer the questions and concerns they have.
“We fully recognise the importance of carefully managing the retention and storage of human tissue samples collected for investigative purposes to ensure they are obtained, and retained and disposed of, in line with the Human Tissue Act.
“In 2006 a new law was introduced as result of such errors and we fully support this legislation and have instructions in place to prevent this from happening again.”
But Sarah still feels let down by the police.
The mum-of-two met with Northumbria Police’s detective chief inspector Lisa Theaker on Thursday in a plea for answers – before it emerged last night just how many families had been affected.
But after the meeting, she accused the force of “passing the buck” over why her dad’s organs were removed
SPECIALLY TRAINED OFFICERS TO CONTACT FAMILIES
without the family’s consent.
Ms Simpson, of Blakelaw, Newcastle, said: “I feel more angry now than when they first told me. They’ve blamed the coroner and said they can do what they like.
“It is my dad and I have got to stick up for him. He has been lying there in what they said was a bucket for 22 years and they won’t take responsibilty. It is disgusting.”
Ms Simpson is now calling for an inquiry into why her dad’s organs were removed and hopes to get a meeting with police commissioner Vera Baird. The 42-year-old said: “We are not going to stop. We have got to live with this for the rest of our lives. We’ll keep fighting for justice.”
The audit was carried out jointly between Northumbria Police, Cleveland Police, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, local coroners, the Human Tissue Authority and the Home Office.
Ms Theaker, who is leading the operation, previously said: “We understand this will be upsetting to those involved and we will offer them as much support as possible.
“we want to reassure the public that risks of this happening again are low.
“In any unexplained death, human tissue samples are retained as part of the investigation for evidential purposes and to determine the cause of death.
“In some cases, this material can be retained for significant periods of time to support the criminal investigation and fulfil legal requirements.
“We will continue to fully support the families through this process and ensure their wishes are met.”