David Highton, chief executive of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust has issueda statement on the scandal.

Here is the full text:

"This trust carries out post mortems on behalf of the coroner and also where relatives have not objected, in order to establish cause of death. In some cases, organs will have been removed and retained for further study, teaching and research.

Sorry: David Highton "The trust is also well known for its research into neurological conditions and has, for many years, received organs from post-mortems carried out elsewhere in the country, for research into brain injury and conditions such as dementia, schizophrenia and new variant CJD.

"Although in past years normal procedure did not involve providing information to relatives, I accept that this is no longer appropriate. Last year, Professor Donaldson issued interim guidance to the NHS on post-mortem examination. We now follow this guidance, which ensures that relatives are given full information before being asked about organ retention, and that their wishes are respected.

"We appreciate that relatives of those who have sadly died or had post-mortems carried out within our trust may be concerned about the possibility of organs having been retained. I and my colleagues at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust are deeply sorry for any distress this may have caused.

"Arrangements are in place to check in to all the organs held within the trust and its medical school so that we can respond as accurately as possible to enquiries from bereaved relatives. This may take some time. In the meantime, if people are concerned and wish to know more, I have set up a helpline and a team within the trust will be looking into inquiries from relatives."

** The helpline can be contacted on 01865 222 177. The Help Desk is open today (Tuesday) until Friday from 9am until 10pm and next week during normal office hours.

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