FAMILIES of former patients may be facing fresh heartbreak after neighbouring health trusts admitted taking body parts without consent.

The government's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, released a national census on organ retention on Tuesday.

Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital was found to have 4,400 body parts stored in its banks the second largest cache of body parts in the country after Liverpool's now infamous Alder Hey Hospital.

Worried families will now face the ordeal of tracing their loved ones' organs.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust, based near Aylesbury, also admitted that in some cases organs had been removed and retained for further study.

Sue Nicholls, spokesman for the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, said: "Although in the past years normal procedure did not involve providing information to relatives about the process, I accept that this is no longer appropriate.

"Arrangements are being made to examine all organs held within Stoke Mandeville Hospital and supporting medical schools so that we can respond clearly and accurately to all inquiries.

"This will however take a little time perhaps several months."

South Bucks NHS Trust has stated that Wycombe Hospital does not retain the organs of patients without consent and Slough's Wexham Park Hospital also confirmed that it does not store organs.

Anyone who is concerned about organ retention should contact the following helplines:

South Bucks NHS Trust (01494) 734966

Oxford's John Radcliffe (01865) 222177

Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust (01296) 316038

Wexham Park Hospital (01753) 633221

See full report in tomorrow's Bucks Free Press