HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc959-60W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during what period Dr. Molloy was the resident heart surgeon/consultant at the Royal Victoria Hospital; and during this time, what his heart surgery(a) death and (b) success rate was. [76632]

Mr. Browne

The information requested is not available.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the clergy who have officiated at the dignified disposal of retained organs at the Royal Victoria Hosptial since 1972. [76634]

Mr. Browne

It was not normal practice for clergy to be present at the disposal of retained organs. The Hospital has advised that none were present under the auspices of the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will initiate an inquiry into(a) the loss of 10 years' records at the Royal Victoria Hospital and (b) the numbers of organs disposed of in clear-outs at the hospital's organ and tissue store. [76635]

Mr. Browne

As the Human Organs Inquiry observed, it was never anticipated that the records of post mortems would come under such scrutiny so many years after being written. They are not generally computerised and some of them have been lost over time. The inquiry report drew attention to the inadequacy of record-keeping systems, including difficulties in identifying and tracking organs once they were removed. An inquiry into the loss of these particular records is not considered necessary, and my Department has established a steering group to see that improvements in record keeping will be identified and implemented. The method of record keeping previously used within the Royal does not allow for information on the numbers of organs disposed of in clear-outs at the hospitals organ and tissue store to be collated.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when an organ was last retained following a post-mortem performed at the Royal Victoria Hospital; and what access relatives have to information as to what happened to retained organs. [76639]

Mr. Browne

The Royal Victoria Hospital has informed me that on occasion it is still necessary to retain organs for examination. This is only done with the fully informed consent of relatives who agree in advance on what will happen to the retained organs.