THERE were demands for an investigation yesterday after it emerged hospital staff were paid to remove the organs from dead bodies without permission.
Technicians in three hospitals were reported to have taken part in the cash-for organs scheme, and secretly paid (pounds) 1 for each pituitary gland they removed.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant, was said to have enlisted workers in Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Royal Infirmary and Stobhill Hospital to further its research into the manufacture of human growth hormones. Politicians and campaigners are demanding an inquiry.
Shona Robison, SNP health spokeswoman, said: ''The amount of money was small, but that is not the point. It is the principle. It is horrific to think that money was involved in a tragedy and adds to the anguish of families. We need a full independent inquiry.''
The NHS and the Scottish Executive both confirmed the payments, but said a lack of records made it impossible to identify relatives. Organs were routinely re-moved from dead patients without relatives' permission and a question about organs on consent forms was scored out.
Geraldine MacDonald, who chairs the Scottish Organisation Relating to the Retention of Organs, said: ''These organs were removed without relatives' consent or knowledge and the practice was covered up. It means the trust that had been built up in the NHS will be thrown out again because someone failed to bring up the fact organs were being sold for (pounds) 1.
''I want to know how much money was handed over and how often. We are told the practice has stopped and that is one thing we can be grateful for.''
A spokeswoman for the North Glasgow University Hospitals Division said the practice was made public in an official inquiry in 2001 and investigated.
Nordisk has admitted paying cash to technicians in Ireland.
The Scottish Executive said: ''The practice was brought to light in the 2001 inquiry and accordingly terms and conditions have been changed.''
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