Secrecy of public officials only adds to victims’ anguish

It’s often said that the true test of any organisation is how it reacts to adversity; when well-laid plans go wrong.

Our recent investigations relating to two patients given toxic transplant organs reveals that the medical services involved could and should have done so much better.

Medics argue that it was impossible to tell that the donor in these cases had a rare and aggressive cancer which was subsequently passed on to the recipients.

However, that doesn’t excuse the way the family of Tom Tyreman have been treated.

Tom died from cancer that was introduced into his body by a donated liver.

It is scandalous that his relatives were initially told the cancer was coincidence.

It is scandalous they only learned the liver was infected when they called the coroner’s office demanding answers.

It is scandalous they only discovered there was a second infected patient when The Sunday Post revealed that very fact last week.

What happened to public services being more open? Such openness would have reduced the distress being suffered by both families.

Indeed, following last week’s report, they are now offering each other support in what can only be described as their darkest hours.

Too often The Sunday Post reports on cases where those in power have been unnecessarily secretive with those they are supposed to be serving.

From health matter to policing issues, it appears public officials prefer to say as little as possible as infrequently as possible.

Well, such a lack of information does nothing but raise suspicion, heighten fear, and leave people suspecting ulterior motives.