A MOTHER discovered tissue samples from her stillborn baby are being held at a Gwent hospital more than eight years after his death.

Rhosalyn Hawkins (pictured), 36, of Heol Hamelin, Abergavenny, gave birth to Ethan at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, on June 13, 1993. He weighed 6lb 12oz and was stillborn.

After initially refusing to allow a post-mortem examination she agreed, and it showed Ethan died of natural causes. Ethan was buried with my grandparents at Llanfoist cemetery, she said.

I was watching a television programme about organ and tissue retention recently and it made me think. I always believed this sort of thing would not happen at Nevill Hall.

'But I decided to ask, and I rang the patient liaison officer at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.

'Three weeks later I had a letter from Martin Turner, the chief executive of the Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, confirming some very small tissue samples were taken at the post mortem for further examination, and these are still being held at Nevill Hall.'

In his letter, Mr Turner also explained organs or tissue samples may be sent away for a second opinion, for teaching or as part of a research project, or to contribute to improved medical treatment.

But Ms Hawkins said she felt she was back to square one in the grieving process.

'I was devastated when I found out because I thought I had buried him whole. 'It's like burying another child. I just want other parents who may have been in the same position as me to know that this practice of retaining tissue is happening.'

A leaflet by the Retained Organs Commission says retaining tissue is not illegal, but concerns following organ retention means the legal framework is being reviewed to clarify when material should be kept and for how long.

The leaflet adds: Following a hospital post-mortem, performed with the agreement of relatives, it is now accepted that their consent or otherwise to the retention of organs or blocks and slides should have been obtained at the time.'

A spokesman for the Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said: 'The feelings expressed by Ms Hawkins on such an emotional and personal matter are obvious and the trust has endeavoured to provide as much information and assistance as possible.

'But it is important to underline that the Tust acted within policies and practices accepted throughout the country.

'New guidelines are now being considered by the government and local families can be assured that the trust will continue to comply with all requirements.'