WHY?

On 5th December 2001, four PITY II representatives attended a Consumers in NHS Research Unit meeting to give a presentation/talk on the work and experiences of PITY II.

The invitation was from their chairman, Mr Nick Partridge and was a result of a visit to one of our meetings in October by Roger Steel who is a field worker for the above unit.

The purpose was to give our perspective on what had happened and particularly to give our views on what actions need to be taken within the NHS and elsewhere to ensure that such tragic events of the past do not happen again.

Our presentation included a history of PITY II to the current situation, its experiences, its response and its views on the Redfern Report, its practitioner accountability and what is needed to prevent this happening again. Everyone present listened intently and with great interest.

The other intention was to discuss the possibility of an expert workshop for some time in the future. Although accepted in principle, a final decision is yet to be made.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Nick Partridge, Roger Steel and all those present for the warm reception that PITY II received and the professional way in which the proceedings were run.

PITY II (Parents who have Interred Their Young Twice) is the parents' support group set up in the wake of the organ retention scandal
at Alder Hey Hospital (Liverpool, UK). It aims to provide self help support and advice to affected families.

Keywords: PITY II, pity II, pity ii, PITY 2, PITY2, pity 2, pity2, Never Again, never again,
Liverpool, liverpool, organ, retention, alder hey, heart, inquiry, Redfern, redfern, scandal, support,