New measures to strengthen the rights of parents over the retention of children's organs could soon be in place in Scotland.

An independent review group was set up following controversy over the retention of organs by some Scottish hospitals without the consent of parents.

It proposed a far-reaching shake-up of the existing legislation.

Now the Scottish Executive has asked the group to act as the guarantor on behalf of families and take forward a range of new initiatives.

The report calls for strict controls on examinations

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm has agreed to extend its role to make sure that new safeguards governing organ retention at post-mortem examination are put in place.

The independent review group was led by ethics expert Professor Sheila McLean.

It was set up following the discovery that the organs of dead children had been removed and stored by a number of Scottish hospitals, including Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow, without the consent of parents.

In its final report the group concluded that this was standard practice and recommended that parental consent for a post mortem examination should be required by law.

Although some of its recommendations have been adopted, the health minister has asked the group to oversee particular proposals.

These include making hospital authorisation forms more easily understandable.

The minister has also announced that he will review legislation governing burial and cremation and bring forward proposals to make the law more responsive to families.