WHEN a York mum contacted the Organ Retention Helpline this month she had no idea she would have to begin grieving again for the baby she lost seven years ago.

Fiona Chilton, 26, of Acomb, has this week learned that her first baby, Emma, who was born premature and died within two hours, had her brain removed at York District Hospital.

Fiona said: "I had no idea that I didn't bury my daughter whole. I didn't even consider the fact that her organs had been removed."

Fiona, who has gone on to have three healthy and happy boys, finally contacted the helpline three weeks ago, after reading the story about Chapelfields mum Tracy Drury, whose daughter Shelley's brain has been destroyed by Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust.

She said: "The whole Alder Hey scandal was terrible, but I never really thought that had happened to my baby. I'm so shocked to now discover that my baby was only partly there when we buried her. It makes a farce out of the funeral and I'm very angry."

York Health Services NHS Trust has admitted that Emma's brain was removed and sent to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and that it still has tissue blocks and slides.

Fiona, who has contacted her solicitor to pursue legal action, said: "She was my baby. What gave them the right to remove anything from her and especially not to put it back so we could bury her complete? I'm gobsmacked, I feel like I have lost her twice over. There is no excuse. I want answers and I want back the parts of Emma they took away from her."

A spokesman for York Health Services NHS Trust said: "We have been talking to Miss Chilton on a regular basis and will continue to do so in order to support her and her family during this very difficult and distressing time.

"We are offering, in an open, honest and supportive way, all the information which has been requested by Miss Chilton.

"We are acutely aware of the distress caused to relatives during this process. Using the guidance set out nationally by the NHS, we will continue to do everything possible to respond to relatives' needs sympathetically and effectively.

"The trust is currently drawing up plans to begin the delicate and sensitive process of discussing with relatives the return of retained organs, tissue blocks and slides, should they wish."

- The York helpline is on 01904 454424.

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, August 29, 2001