Good
Wishes
Since
the publication of the Redfern Report, we have been overwhelmed
by letters and phone calls of support, some from "ordinary" people
who have read about our plight, or have seen some of the many television
or radio interviews with parents.
Here are a
few comments ....
Karen Walker
from Buckinghamshire writes, "I am sure
the whole country is full of admiration for the dignity the parents
have maintained throughout your ordeals. Of course our thoughts
are with your children too." Karen also sent a very
generous donation. Thanks Karen.
Mrs V Lewis
of Liverpool "I am writing to offer support
and say how sorry I am at what you have all had to go through
at the hands of Alder Hey."
Charlotte
Yates, Chairperson, Parents for Justice, "On
behalf of the Irish parents affected by organ retention, I would
like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere condolences
on the terrible suffering that you have all been forced to endure.
We can only hope that the days ahead will be brighter ones."
We have also
received support from official bodies.
The
Leader of Sefton Council, Councillor John Pugh writes "
Dear Mr Bradley, May I express my respect for the dignity and determination
with which you and other parents have carried forward the fight
to expose the appalling and distressing practices at Alder Hey.
Ronnie Fearn has informed me of the resilience, fortitude and character
you and the other parents have needed to have to get to the truth.
It is a major task to make hospital management properly accountable….Perhaps
at some later date you could pass on some of the difficulties your
organisation met and are still meeting in overcoming the hospital
bureaucracy and secrecy. Until then can I convey my admiration for
the courage of you all and my profound sympathy." Sefton
Council has also disassociated itself from the remarks in the e-mail
sent by one of its employees to the evidence for the CMOs summit.
The Faith
Leaders on Merseyside, "The strenuous
efforts of PITY II and all the relatives to get at the truth are
wholly vindicated by this report. Our prayers are with them as
they continue to grieve for their children through this harrowing
episode….We support the parents' persistent demand for a change
in the law requiring explicit and specific informed consent from
next of kin for use of the body in medical research. The faith
community leaders on Merseyside will work with parents and families,
if it is their wish, at the appropriate time to hold a memorial
service. We call on the University, the Hospital, the NHS and
the Secretary of State to act swiftly to implement the recommendations
and change the culture and re-establish trust and confidence."
Julee Oakley
of the Cot Life Society, "Thank you for
having the strength and courage to do good for others, so they
never have to go through anything like this."
Of course not
all of the comments have been positive, and there have been letters
received as well as some published in the papers criticising parents,
and implying that it is all about money. Sadly there will always
be people happy to criticise without bothering to understand.
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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, children,
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![Link to Alan Milburn's [Secretary of State for Health] Speech to the House of Commons [UK Government] on the 30th of January 2001](../images/report2.gif)
