Alan Milburn: Shocked by report

The report will reveal that from 1988 to 1994, pathologist Dick Van Velzen took and stored thousands of children's organs - saying he did not have time to carry out many post mortems.

Among the parents waiting for the report's publication on Tuesday are Kevin and Janet Valentine, whose six-month-old daughter Kayleigh, from Rhos, near Wrexham was among dozens of children whose organs were removed.

Sandra and Jeremy McKenzie, whose baby son Gareth died at Alder Hey, only found out years later that parts of his body were removed.

Mr Milburn said on Monday that the law may need to be changed to make sure doctors gain the informed permission of patients and relatives before removing organs.

He is also likely to implement changes in medical training for doctors to make them more aware of the sensibilities of patients and their relatives.

Mr Milburn said the report was the most shocking he had ever read.

Kayleigh Valentine: Organs removed

Last week, it was also revealed the hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital gave body parts removed during heart operations to a pharmaceutical company.

Cash was later donated by the pharmaceutical companies concerned to the hospitals.

The only hospital in Wales known to have retained children's organs is the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, where 20 hearts are stored

The true extent of organ removal at NHS hospitals across Britain is expected to be revealed in a separate report by England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Liam Donaldson.

In December 1999, Alder Hey Hospital apologised for taking hearts, brains and other body parts from more than 800 children's bodies without seeking permission from their parents.