Fed: Push for guidelines on organ removal = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2001
Fed: Push for guidelines on organ removal = 2

Mr Thwaites later said medical research was important, but a national consent form
for relatives was needed to prevent the unauthorised removal of organs.

The proposal was welcomed by Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, which until May
2000 removed organs from dead babies for medical research.

The hospital's laboratory services director, Dr Paul Monagle, said families had wanted
more information over the past year.

He said doctors had previously removed organs because they thought it best for patients,
but were now pushing for uniform guidelines.

"I think we, like many hospitals, have been working very hard to improve the situation
to ensure that families are dealt with in the way they need to be dealt with," he told
ABC radio.

Dr Monagle said families of dead babies should be asked what they thought of guidelines
before a policy was adopted and put in place.

AAP ac/gfr/las/sb

KEYWORD: HEALTH ORGANS 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.