Charity director Jenni joins commission

4:42pm Thursday 8th February 2001

A CHARITY director has been invited by the Government to become a member of the commission set up to deal with the scandal of taking organs without consent.

Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn set up the retained organs commission on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Prof Liam Donaldson to look into the taking and retention of organs.

The commission was announced to the House of Commons on last Tuesday and Jenni Thomas, director of the Child Bereavement Trust, based in West Wycombe, is the first person to be made a non-executive member of the board.

The job will entail advising ministers and providing guidance to the NHS and monitoring trusts to ensure they deal properly with organ returns.

The commission will also provide a national helpline, via NHS Direct, for worried parents and relatives.

Mrs Thomas said: "I feel very privileged. I think it is a very, very important area that needs to be managed really well and help regain trust.

"I really think that people need to trust that what they are being told about their dead child and what they are being given is really what it is.

"I was quite surprised and delighted when it was confirmed last week."

A national helpline has been set up to help parents who wish to discuss what has or may have happened to their child's organs. Call 0845 601 4235 before Tuesday for help and support

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