The family of a Cotherstone woman who was a registered organ donor has shared the experience of the confusion surrounding organ and tissue donation after the death of a loved one.

Ghita Harbour was 88 when she died of pneumonia at Darlington Memorial Hospital on July 16 2022.

Mrs Harbour strongly wished her organs to be donated for research, and especially wanted her brain tissue to be donated to the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank as her maternal grandmother lived with the disease.

Mrs Harbour’s children, Lynne Kiddle and Mark Harbour, expressed their frustration at the restrictions surrounding organ and tissue donation, and an alleged lack of communication on behalf of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

The Northern Echo: Ghita Harbour died at Darlington Memorial Hospital on July 16 2022Ghita Harbour died at Darlington Memorial Hospital on July 16 2022 (Image: Family picures)

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A coroner had to ascertain the cause of Mrs Harbour’s death which, according to the Trust, led to a delay in issuing her death certificate.  

Ms Kiddle said: “A few days before mum passed away, I was in touch with the Parkinson’s Brain Bank to ask them what I needed to do.

“I was told that as long as the hospital knew she was a registered organ donor, the hospital would be in touch with them to make the arrangements, but that never happened.”

Ms Kiddle put in a complaint to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in August 2022 and was dissatisfied with the responses she was receiving from the Patient Experience Team.

The Northern Echo: Ghita Harbour moved to the North East in 1998. Picture: Family pictureGhita Harbour moved to the North East in 1998. Picture: Family picture (Image: Family pictures)

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After six months since her original complaint was issued, Ms Kiddle remains dissatisfied with the alleged lack of communication between her and the Trust.

A spokeswoman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are sorry that Mrs Harbour’s family are unhappy with aspects of the care she received and offer them our sincere condolences.

“Their concerns have been thoroughly investigated and responded to through our complaints procedure and in line with national guidance. Our response included an explanation of when organ and tissue donation are possible and the very many situations when, particularly with organ donation, this is sadly not clinically possible, despite the wishes and generosity of the potential donor and their family.

“We are sorry Mrs Harbour’s family remain unhappy and our patient experience team is in regular ongoing contact with them.”

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The Northern Echo contacted the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank, and in order to donate brain tissue a Brain Bank donor form must be filled in and sent to Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank at Imperial College London.

Ms Kiddle did emphasise that the care her mother received before she died was “exemplary” and passed away peacefully on Ward 62 of the hospital.

After moving up north in 1998, Mrs Harbour lived in Mickleton where she quickly emersed herself in village life with raising money at local charity events through the years.

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Mrs Harbour was a joint treasurer of Mid Teesdale Project Partnership until she was taken into a care home in August 2020.

After retiring, the Mid Teesdale Project Partnership wrote to Mrs Harbour and thanked her for her support and said: “It’s fair to say that without your input and humour, the Partnership would not have flourished as it did.”

Mrs Harbour’s family remain in contact with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s Patient Experience Team.